Tesla Driver Claims 'I Wasn't Driving' to Escape Speeding Ticket
A Parker, Colorado driver attempted to use Full Self-Driving (Supervised) as legal justification for speeding, but police and Tesla's own terms clarify the driver remains responsible.
Conversation activity · last 24 hours peak 4/hr
Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 5 items across 3 sources · 5h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
A Tesla driver pulled over for speeding in Parker, Colorado claimed the vehicle's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature was responsible, stating "I wasn't driving." Tesla's own disclaimer and legal precedent make clear that drivers remain fully liable for traffic violations while using the feature, regardless of automation level. The incident, captured on police body camera, illustrates ongoing confusion about autonomous driving liability.
- Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature does not make the vehicle autonomous or exempt the driver from legal liability for traffic violations.
- Tesla's own disclaimer explicitly states drivers remain responsible for speeding, tolls, parking, and other violations even while using the feature.
- A driver's attempt to evade a speeding ticket by claiming the automation was responsible was rejected by law enforcement.
- The incident highlights ongoing confusion about legal accountability and autonomous vehicle capabilities among some Tesla users.
How it unfolded
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Reaction Story spreads across platforms
The incident was shared on Hacker News and Mastodon. Gizmodo's Mastodon post emphasized the importance of the 'Supervised' designation in Full Self-Driving.
“Turns out when you use "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)," that "Supervised" part is important.”
Gizmodo · Mastodon ↗ -
Event Tesla driver pulled over in Parker, Colorado
A driver using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature was stopped by police for speeding. The driver attempted to argue that the vehicle, not the driver, was responsible for the speeding violation.
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Event Driver claims automation liability defense
During the traffic stop, the driver stated "I wasn't driving" and attempted to shift responsibility to the autopilot feature. Body camera footage captured the exchange between driver and officer.
“I wasn't driving.”
Tesla driver · Hacker News ↗ -
Report Gizmodo publishes incident coverage
Gizmodo reported on the incident and highlighted Tesla's own liability disclaimer, which explicitly states drivers remain responsible for all traffic violations while using Full Self-Driving (Supervised).
“Full Self-Driving (Supervised) requires active driver supervision with eyes on the road and does not make the vehicle autonomous. You, and any drivers you authorize, are always responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle when using…”
Tesla · Hacker News ↗
What people are saying verbatim
“I wasn't driving.”
Tesla driver, Driver pulled over for speeding · Gizmodo / body camera footage ↗ · Aug 8
“Full Self-Driving (Supervised) requires active driver supervision with eyes on the road and does not make the vehicle autonomous.”
Tesla, Vehicle manufacturer · Gizmodo ↗ · Aug 8
“You, and any drivers you authorize, are always responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle when using these features, as well as for any and all speeding, tolls, parking and other traffic violations even when it is in use.”
Tesla, Vehicle manufacturer disclaimer · Gizmodo ↗ · Aug 8
“Turns out when you use "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)," that "Supervised" part is important.”
Gizmodo, Tech news outlet · Mastodon ↗ · Aug 9, 5:00 AM
“the cop won the easiest debate of all time and left abruptly.”
Gizmodo, Tech news outlet · Gizmodo article ↗ · Aug 8