KUALA LUMPUR – Police are set to probe a Singaporean couple for driving their Tesla electric vehicle in autopilot mode along the North-South Highway last week.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department deputy director Bakri Zainal Abidin confirmed the matter to The Vibes, adding that investigations are underway.
He also explained that the use of a car’s autopilot function is considered an offence under Rule 17 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959.
This rule prohibits a driver from “being in a position where they do not have appropriate control over a vehicle”.
Those found guilty of this offence will face a penalty under Section 119 of the Road Transport Act 1987 that provides for a fine not exceeding RM2,000 or six months prison in the case of a first offence.
Last Friday, a TikTok user by the name of @SGpikarchu uploaded a video to the platform showing a couple driving their Tesla from Singapore up north towards Kuala Lumpur.
@sgpikarchu Hope this video is somewhat useful for those driving to to Malaysia with EV. For accurate distance, please use Google Map, the animation is just an estimate. Happy driving! ? #SgTeslaGoesMsia #EVboleh ♬ Electric Love - BØRNS
In the video, the driver is seen showing off with his hands off the steering wheel accompanied by the caption where he boasted that: “Autopilot is so shiok (awesome) here!”.
The caption also called for other Tesla owners to begin planning their journeys.
Meanwhile, Bakri reportedly told Guang Ming Daily that Malaysia has yet to formulate regulations for self-driving vehicles.
He added that a car’s self-driving system may result in drivers playing with their mobile phones instead of paying attention to the road, something that he cautioned was against the law. – The Vibes, April 7, 2022
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