A remote-controlled Suzuki Alto project in Islamabad crashed into a parked police car after its connection failed during a test drive. Separately, police in Parker, Colorado, have issued warnings to Tesla drivers after a speeding motorist claimed he wasn’t driving due to autopilot mode.
The Islamabad Connection Failure
In Islamabad, a project led by software engineer Ehsan Zafar recently ended in a collision. Zafar modified a Suzuki Alto, equipping the roof with cameras to allow the vehicle to be steered via satellites and the internet. Despite the framing of the project, the vehicle did not possess true autonomous capabilities, a feat the reporting notes virtually no car can truly achieve.
The failure occurred during a test ride last weekend with journalist Muhammad Aalijah. According to reports, the internet connection severed, causing the Suzuki to veer uncontrolled into a parked police car along the side of the road. Aalijah attempted to engage the handbrake in a panic, but the vehicle continued its trajectory.
The timing of the crash provided a stark contrast to the narrative of the test; the collision happened exactly as the reporter was praising the level of talent present in Pakistan. Aalijah later shared the video as a cautionary tale rather than a promotion for Zafar’s work, stating he did not publish it to generate interest in Zafar.
If the same situation had occurred on a busy road, the consequences could have been much worse. Muhammad Aalijah, Journalist, via Autovisie
Zafar later posted a photo of the vehicle on social media, noting that the damage was limited to the bumper, which has since been replaced. He stated, As you can see, the car has not suffered serious damage. Only the bumper was damaged and has been replaced.
Parker Police and the Autopilot Defense
The Parker Police Department pulled over a Tesla traveling 64 mph in a 45 mph zone.
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During the stop, the driver—who was clearly seated in the driver’s seat—repeatedly insisted that he was not responsible for the speeding violation because the car was in self-driving mode. Body camera footage captures the driver stating that he was not driving and that the vehicle was using autopilot and assist driving.
The officer rejected the claim, reminding the motorist that the vehicle lacks a driver’s license. When the officer requested a driver’s license, the man continued to insist he was not responsible. When the driver suggested the officer complain to Tesla customer service
and claimed It wasn’t my fault,
the officer countered that the human in the seat remains completely in charge of the vehicle, stating that the driver could blame the car as much as he wanted, but because the car does not have a driver’s license, the officer needed to see the man’s license.
The driver subsequently demanded to speak to the officer’s supervisor.
The Legal Reality of Driver Assistance
The Parker Police Department used the incident to clarify that regardless of the specific technology—whether it be lane centering, adaptive cruise control, or full self-driving—the person behind the wheel is accountable. This means the driver is responsible for paying attention to the road, obeying speed limits, and maintaining control.
The Parker Police Department stated that regardless of whether a vehicle has adaptive cruise control, lane centering, or full self-driving, the driver remains legally responsible for operating the vehicle safely, which includes obeying speed limits, paying attention to the road, and remaining in control of the vehicle. Parker Police Department, via CBS News
