RCMP say the driver of a Tesla electric vehicle was caught speeding 150 km/h on Highway 2 near Ponoka.
Police said they received a complaint on July 9 at about 4 p.m. about a car that appeared to be self-driving and travelling more than 140 km/h.
Both front seats were completely reclined and both occupants appeared to be asleep.
When an officer activated emergency lights, the 2019 Tesla Model S allegedly began to automatically accelerate to 150 km/h.
The driver, a 20-year-old man from British Columbia, was charged with speeding and given a 24-hour licence suspension for fatigue.
After further investigation and consultation with the Crown, a Criminal Code charge of dangerous driving was also laid against the driver, who received a summons to appear in court in December.
“Although manufacturers of new vehicles have built in safeguards to prevent drivers from taking advantage of the new safety systems in vehicles, those systems are just that — supplemental safety systems.
“They are not self-driving systems. They still come with the responsibility of driving,” said Supt. Gary Graham of Alberta RCMP traffic services.