Tesla driver that crashed into police car was warned by Autopilot 150 times

[ABikerSailor]

So what I would like to know is what is the status of a intoxicated driver, who can't legally operate a motor vehicle, but is behind the wheel of a "self-driving" car? Is he legally operating a vehicle, who routed the vehicle into the stopped police vehicles, is the vehicle legally under his control or should he just have called an Uber?

You said it in your post. If they are intoxicated and above the legal limit, and sitting in the drivers seat, they are guilty of DUI. In most states (if not all of them), if a person is drunk and sleeping in the drivers seat, then they are considered to be in a position to operate the vehicle and can be charged with DUI. In some states, even sleeping in the passenger seat, because it's in the front and you have access to the controls of the car, can net you a DUI as well.

One could even say that if they were able to put the car into self driving mode, they were operating the car, and therefore could be charged with DUI.

 

[progressive hunter]

You said it in your post. If they are intoxicated and above the legal limit, and sitting in the drivers seat, they are guilty of DUI. In most states (if not all of them), if a person is drunk and sleeping in the drivers seat, then they are considered to be in a position to operate the vehicle and can be charged with DUI. In some states, even sleeping in the passenger seat, because it's in the front and you have access to the controls of the car, can net you a DUI as well.

One could even say that if they were able to put the car into self driving mode, they were operating the car, and therefore could be charged with DUI.

having possession of the keys is a big factor,,

if youre asleep in the car and there are no keys available youre OK,,

I know this personally,,

so if youre drunk on the side of the road throw the keys in the bushes and get them when you sober up,,