# Tesla Driver Tries the Old ‘I Wasn’t Driving’ Excuse to Get Out of Speeding Ticket

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-09 14:07 UTC · Category: Business

## Executive Summary
A Colorado driver blames Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode after being caught speeding 64 mph in a 45 mph zone, sparking a fresh debate on autonomous-vehicle liability.

## Intelligence Brief
TechRadar and Carscoops framed the story around the driver’s “I wasn’t driving” defense, noting the reliance on Tesla’s FSD feature. WFLA emphasized that the video “shows” the driver making the excuse, while CBS News added a police reminder that Colorado drivers remain responsible for the conduct of self‑driving vehicles. Gizmodo described the claim as an “old excuse” used to evade speeding tickets. The coordinated coverage underscores the newsworthiness of the legal tension between autonomous‑vehicle technology and existing traffic‑law enforcement.


Colorado law, as referenced by CBS, holds the licensed operator accountable for any violation, regardless of whether an advanced driver‑assistance system is active. This principle reflects a broader national conversation about how statutes apply to vehicles equipped with Autopilot, FSD or similar features that can control speed and steering. As manufacturers continue to roll out higher levels of automation, regulators and courts are being asked to define the boundaries of driver liability, making each citation a potential precedent. The next steps likely involve a hearing on the speeding ticket to determine whether the driver’s reliance on FSD can mitigate responsibility.


Coverage may later include a response from Tesla regarding the driver’s use of the feature and any guidance the company provides to owners about legal obligations. Observers will also watch for any statements from Colorado law‑enforcement agencies about how they intend to enforce traffic laws on vehicles operating in autonomous modes, and whether additional policy guidance will be issued.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Electrek | Watch Tesla driver plea with police after FSD drove 64 mph in a 45 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxPOWVpV0tad3ZNWHhaNzNTdWttWEVFY2hZWDlydGZMcXUwS0pzX3BwRGVXZTlTNmFyQVhfWVcyX0JtNnNWdmg3SVdudFVBNnJWT1YwQXFvSm00Q25yMkNpRDZvSHMzTllpNVVsbm4yb00wV2NVdEs2RXpxMm9uYkRGeU9R?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Driver Blames Self-Driving Technology for Speeding Ticket, Colorado Police Say | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilAFBVV95cUxPcFBFUFoyU0dfTXFFUTdYTzA3Q3Ftb3g1OXkxcDZtTTZjNk1keHFXeVVXVWdVLTYzaFlwWVNQUU9fcDBqbFNVejB0VG9GU3RUemwtVTNYdEs3dW9SS0hFMHMxaDRZdXYtY1dQZHdqWlBLSW9fZk4yS0QzYlBqZkFkRGxYdUZoWF8zMllKTzVBSmk0SVJk?oc=5) |
| TechRadar | 'I wasn't driving': Tesla driver blames FSD mode after being caught speeding — as Colorado police release video in warning to motorists | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAJBVV95cUxQd2VZRTdiWmwtM0N6QTdubndVdUtDMmJjeHdzYnNUOThubU5ZdHVFeG9RajUtZ1hJaUptcjVwd29ORWZhTVlpQ3BPZjJ2b19PZFVUaWp1Vms4cWUwNlNYSlRTWFk5SWR1Q3lCcjZzZFBqVkhtc29lZk5QZUE4YlVGT1NTNlkwd2xRT1JkNVBXRzZCaFYzMUFmTkhZU1V2a1RvSDlENkpQX3hOWjJRWnphZHE5OUVncDEteDdONW1tMkdaeXdxVFE0ODR0X1R1bmJxTVNuNE1rTVlWWEk3V3NLampQYW5CTWJBRWx5M081RHJxWUVSZWJoRDcwclN2VjQ0WlRyQ1NWV2ZkVFBxcFlMYW41ZmlRa2Vy?oc=5) |
| Carscoops | Tesla Driver Caught At 64 In A 45 Insists He Wasn’t The One Driving | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTE0wYi14REpzTThWVHNkVkdYUEZfNkNXR0pKNDBJc3dGejVfNmFNRHd0dk9LaGZiVzVQYTNXbGxXMnRyR2IzalhOM3hVSVVoVjJZcm9XaGRtSVJSdDVjR29tUDFtWmgyaDNHLVVDUDA4Q3NQS096aXlrQ0dqenZKQQ?oc=5) |
| WFLA | ‘I wasn’t driving’: Tesla driver blames Autopilot feature for speeding, video shows | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxOV2JmUW10dlhTSUJYbUZkaUJLeHFKYjk4OHZSRW1vYkswM2l2eDY0TzNEc3k0RElUOWxLTngtWUdoQmRuTE9xUjBwZzZVekdpcjhhY1RLWGdsUkxJY0ppWDVTb0ZINDNhd3J2TGU4Yk5OMTZvWDBidkdMbkplYm5pdE93REdTeF9jTF93RWNHaFRYS1RJZVVfMmxCTDdEc3E3Uk1ZLWtKczdYV3ZfSmY2X2hIYWnSAboBQVVfeXFMT0hFMzMxX2NQX1R4Uk5KUHVZVnh6Z2hkRHlhVnpMXzMtN08yWVVobVhYOXpkS095SUtoODROdlpyU3AzazFIX0pEY0w5ZVNwRS1LVTNGSEtHRHVEZ0kzX3BDS2dzUTY2ajE4SmlGcUNIMnZOdTd3VUJzS2tmNGFUbHhRRnRULURpQWE4UmVqUVRwNFZzYzlJX1pDQjJNVTN) |
| CBS News | "I wasn't driving," police remind Colorado drivers they are responsible for self-driving vehicles | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxOeWlWQUljX1NOYXN4U0hWVXlGSjY3VzB0LXhUdWIzRnFPNHUtTndob3c1Y0o1Q2RsR2tUMjhCSUdDR3JzSzFBdDNhZzZkbVhERGhjaC02aUZyZnE1bVdYbE1hS0ltV1M2a2Rka1pHdWUxUF9mRi1iNGxsenpGZHU2MzNJMVJ1d0NudVVzcUFqYjhPa2ZtekRhazhPUDY3ZGphZlBYcGllTzhXSXBTV3RKMA?oc=5) |
| gizmodo.com | Tesla Driver Tries the Old ‘I Wasn’t Driving’ Excuse to Get Out of Speeding Ticket | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirwFBVV95cUxNNlR5M3ZCMUxKWUpleC1xNFNZTVJTMU1QaFFuRXhUMDJFTE5IVUJDam1mNGtDcVpuU0g4YVNxSTZrLWdYS0Y1NUhBTXI3VkI1bnRHR1dpaGJ1UVNXRW41LUtZSXVsRlFnLVR6MVdwbEJMcHA1Rll5ZmNkaWFsd09mMURiTjg4b3pCSU01NVJUSUF5N283dGtFakp1WmNwX1VKczV1SmZNYTNweDNmcF9r?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-09/tesla-driver-tries-the-old-i-wasn-t-driving-excuse-to-get-out-of-speeding-ticket*