PDRM Investigates Singaporean Couple Who Traveled To Penang On Tesla’s Autopilot Mode

Over the weekend, when the Malaysia-Singapore borders reopened, a Singaporean couple decided to take a leisurely trip from their country to Penang, in a 700km journey of relaxation as their Tesla drove them in autopilot mode.

Though, it appears that hands-free driving is not allowed in Malaysia!

Based on a report by Guang Ming Daily, Bukit Aman Chief Assistant Director of Traffic Investigations and Enforcement (JSPT) Superintendent Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin has since issued a statement to remind that it is prohibited to use such self-driving systems in Malaysia. His party has also opened an investigation into the couple and their hands-free journey.

He went on to explain that although Malaysia did not enact regulations related to the automatic driving system, according to what is stated under the Land Traffic Act 1959 insists that drivers must drive well, be careful and concentrate. The couple’s trip serves as an offense as the driver should always control the movement of the steering wheel.

“The police believe that although there is currently no law in Malaysia that prohibits self-assisted driving, the system not only cannot keep the driver’s attention, but also cannot detect whether there is a driver in the car; drivers may see less road conditions, but pay more attention to the system in question,”

“For other irrelevant things, such as the use of a smartphone while driving. Therefore, the use of automatic driving systems while driving is still prohibited in our country,” he shared.

He added that the driver should always pay attention to the road conditions as if the system fails to detect any danger, the driver can respond accordingly to prevent accidents.

“Even as a country that conducts research and development related to this automatic driving assistance system, the United States still has a ban on its use in most of its states,”

“And the latest research report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shows that the use of this automatic driving assistance function can cause drivers to be negligent and insensitive to road conditions,” he added.

Stay tuned for more updates. 

Also read: Singapore Driver Condemned For Peeing By The Roadside In Johor Bahru