A driver named Alexander Samek from Los Altos was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, after California Highway Patrol officers noticed him nodding off behind the wheel.

According to officer Art Montiel, Samek’s Tesla was spotted on highway 101 south of Whipple Road in Redwood City, doing about 70 mph (112 km/h), which is slightly over the legal speed limit.

When officers pulled up to the side of the car, they saw what appeared to be a very drowsy driver. Unable to signal for his attention, CHP officers then drove in front of the Tesla in order to get the car to slow down, as reported by KTVU.

When the driver did wake up, he went off the freeway and drove to Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto, where he eventually pulled over at a gas station. That’s when he was taken into custody.

Officer Montiel stated that the Model S “appeared” to be driven in autonomous mode, although he couldn’t say so conclusively until an investigation had been carried out.

Even so, a semi-autonomous system like Tesla’s Autopilot shouldn’t be used when drivers are in any way incapacitated. This means that you still need to keep your eyes on the road at all times, and your hands on the wheel frequently – just to let the car know that you’re able to take control should the need arise.

H/T to Drexl Spivey (…sic)