Tesla Autopilot Gets its First Speeding Ticket

Yes, folks, the "autopilot" features did a little bit of everything, including guiding the Model S electric vehicle through some construction zones. The system apparently has a bit of a proverbial lead foot, though, as the Model S got popped by the Florida Highway Patrol for doing 75 miles per hour (120 km/h) in a 60-mph zone (100 km/h). The drivers weren't properly insured either, though you can hardly blame Elon Musk for that one.

Indeed, the autopilot feature, which is also available on Tesla's new Model X, includes side-collision warning, auto parking, automatic lane-changing capabilities and emergency steering capabilities.

Musk is estimating that a fully autonomous vehicle, for those with sufficient cash, may be as few as three years away. About 60,000 Model S vehicles have the sensors necessary for the autonomous-driving features, and the software is slated to go out to Model S owners overseas this week. One cool feature is that autopilot driving data will be collected by Tesla for other drivers to use. Whether that means other Model S's systems will be programmed to slow down along that stretch of Florida highway where Drag Times got busted remains to be seen. In the meantime, take a look at the 16-minute video for further proof of the speeding ticket.