Drunk Driver Falls Asleep Using “Smart Driving” — Sentenced to Jail! Judge Clarifies: Intelligent Driving Is No Excuse for DUI 🚔

On October 20, authorities in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, reported a case that sparked nationwide discussion — a man was convicted for dangerous driving after activating his car’s “smart driving” mode while drunk and falling asleep behind the wheel.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on September 13. A parked SUV with hazard lights on was blocking the road. Curious passersby approached and were shocked to find the driver’s seat empty, while a man was fast asleep in the passenger seat. The car’s dashboard displayed a “warning” message — prompting them to call the police.

Upon arrival, officers detected signs of alcohol use. A blood test revealed a blood alcohol level of 114.5 mg/100ml, well above China’s legal DUI limit. The court later sentenced the driver, surnamed Wang, to one month and fifteen days in detention and fined him 4,000 yuan.

Judge Wu Xigen, Deputy Chief Judge of the Linping District Court, explained that the key issue was whether “driving under the influence with intelligent driving assistance” still constitutes drunk driving — the answer: yes.

Although the vehicle was stationary when discovered, surveillance, dashcam, and vehicle data confirmed that Wang had been driving drunk earlier, endangering public safety. His car was equipped with Level 2 assisted driving, meaning he remained fully responsible for vehicle control.

Judge Wu emphasized: “No car on the current market qualifies as full autonomous driving (Level 4 or 5). Even with smart systems, the driver must stay alert and in control. ‘Smart driving’ cannot be used as a legal shield for DUI.”

👉 The takeaway:
No matter how advanced the technology, the human driver remains legally accountable. Driving drunk — whether manually or on ‘autopilot’ — will lead to criminal liability.