By Police1 Staff
PHOENIX — Just days after an autonomous Uber got into a wreck in Tempe, a Tesla Model X allegedly operating on autopilot struck a Phoenix police motorcycle.
According to AZCentral.com, the officer was stopped at a light after exiting a freeway when the Tesla moved forward, causing the officer to hop off his motorcycle and get away from the danger. The car tapped the motorcycle from behind. No damage was reported to either vehicle.
Police said because the wreck was minor and no one was harmed, an investigation will not continue and no citations were issued.
“It was pretty much a tap,” Pfohl said. “It wasn’t even a reportable collision. If it wasn’t involving an officer, we would not have even investigated it.”
The driver of the Tesla told police that the car was in autopilot, but Sgt. Alan Pfohl told the publication that investigators could not confirm the claim.
Tesla’s website states that autopilot mode is not intended to fully take over driving. The driver needs to remain engaged. Their website also says that drivers are back in control of their vehicles when they exit highways.