Police Chase Sleeping Kia EV9 Driver on Freeway; Autonomous Car Safely Stopped, Driver Arrested for DUI

Police Chase Down Kia EV9 with Sleeping (and Allegedly Drunk) Driver on California Freeway: Autonomous Car Safely Stopped by CHP

In a bizarre and alarming incident on a California freeway, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) successfully stopped a Kia EV9 SUV that was reportedly driving autonomously with both its driver and passenger sound asleep. Responding to calls from concerned motorists, CHP officers found the semi-autonomous Kia EV9 maintaining its speed and lane. After initial attempts to rouse the occupants failed, officers employed an “unorthodox” maneuver, boxing in the SUV and gradually slowing down, which triggered the EV9’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to initiate automatic braking, bringing the vehicle to a safe stop. The driver was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of misusing driver-assist systems and the critical need for vigilant, sober human supervision.

A Surreal Scene on the Freeway

The incident unfolded on U.S. 101 near San José, resembling a scene from science fiction.

• Initial Reports: CHP responded to multiple reports of a Kia SUV cruising with its two occupants “apparently fast asleep.”
• Public Awareness: Concerned motorists attempted to get the attention of the sleeping pair by flashing lights and honking, with no success.
• Viral Video: The surreal spectacle was captured on video by a passing trucker and shared on TikTok.

CHP’s Unorthodox Intervention

Law enforcement faced a unique challenge in safely stopping the autonomous vehicle.

• Autonomous Driving: Officers found the semi-autonomous Kia EV9 maintaining its speed and lane, seemingly under the guidance of its driver-assist systems.
• Failed Attempts: Initial tactics, including sirens, flashing lights, and loudspeakers, failed to rouse the occupants.
• Box-In Maneuver: Officers positioned one patrol car ahead to gradually slow down and another behind to box in the Kia.
• ADAS Activation: This maneuver prompted the EV9’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to initiate automatic braking, safely bringing the SUV to a controlled stop.
• Arrest: The driver was awakened and arrested for suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Understanding the Technology and Its Misuse

The incident highlights the limitations and legal requirements of current driver-assist systems.

• SAE Level 2 System: The Kia EV9 is equipped with an SAE Level 2 Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system, similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and Ford’s BlueCruise.
• System Capabilities: These systems are designed to steer, brake, and accelerate using adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist.
• Legal Requirements: The law mandates that such systems must be supervised at all times, with the operator remaining alert, hands on the wheel, and prepared to take over.
• Driver Inactivity Warnings: The system is supposed to issue audible warnings for driver inactivity and slow the vehicle to 38 mph if ignored. It is unconfirmed whether these alerts were triggered or overridden in this particular incident.

The Critical Takeaway

This event serves as a powerful reminder of responsible driving and technology use.

• Cautionary Tale: The incident is a “cautionary tale about the improper use of modern driver assistance systems.”
• Human Responsibility: While the EV9’s systems may have prevented a crash, they also allowed allegedly intoxicated occupants to continue driving.
• Vigilance Needed: The episode underscores that “even the smartest car on the highway still needs an awake, sober, and responsible human in the driver’s seat.”

Final Thoughts

The California freeway incident involving a Kia EV9 with a sleeping, allegedly drunk driver is a stark and unsettling demonstration of the misuse of advanced driver-assistance systems. While the ADAS ultimately helped prevent a collision by engaging automatic brakes during the police intervention, the core issue remains the absolute necessity of human supervision. This event serves as a critical reminder that current semi-autonomous technologies are aids, not replacements, for alert and responsible drivers. It highlights the urgent need for ongoing public education regarding the capabilities and limitations of these systems, ensuring that technological advancements enhance safety rather than inadvertently enabling dangerous behaviors.

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