In a comical yet cautionary incident, a Michigan State Police trooper recently encountered a small mystery when responding to a report of a blue Pontiac Grand Prix driving recklessly. Upon arriving at the scene, the trooper discovered that the Grand Prix was unoccupied, but that didn’t stop it from nearly colliding head-on with the police cruiser before crashing into a parked car at a gas pump. The incident, captured on dashcam footage, shows the aging sedan moving at a mere ten miles per hour before impact.
Contrary to popular belief, this was not a case of a homebrewed autonomous vehicle gone wrong. The driver behind the wheel of the Pontiac was a 57-year-old woman from Grayling, Michigan. According to witnesses, she had crashed into another car and attempted to flee the scene before abandoning her still-running vehicle when informed that 911 had been called. Subsequently, the car continued its unintended journey down the road.
Upon speaking with the woman, the trooper noticed signs of intoxication, including a strong odor, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The woman even resisted the trooper’s attempts to engage with her and tried to walk away. Consequently, she was arrested for driving under the influence and obstructing law enforcement.
While the incident serves as a stark reminder not to drive while under the influence, it also draws attention to the similarity between this crash and those involving highly complex autonomous vehicles equipped with advanced sensors and cameras. This amusing mishap highlights the potential for human error in any driving situation, whether it be an everyday car or a cutting-edge driverless vehicle.
FAQs:
Q: Was the Pontiac Grand Prix a self-driving car?
A: No, the Pontiac Grand Prix involved in the incident was a regular car driven by a woman who was later found to be intoxicated.
Q: Was anyone injured in the accident?
A: Thankfully, no one was injured in the accident involving the unoccupied Pontiac Grand Prix.
Q: Does this incident reflect the dangers of autonomous driving technology?
A: No, this incident primarily serves as a reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence and highlights the potential for human error in any driving situation.