Video: daft Dutchman 'drives' autonomous Tesla Model S from back seat

You’re likely aware of Tesla’s new Autopilot software for its all-electric Model S. Why, we’ve even had a play with it.

What we didn’t do, though, was ignore Tesla’s rather firm advice to keep our hands very close to the wheel ready to take command, something which necessarily required our constant presence in the driver’s seat.

Sadly, one nincompoop has ignored both instructions, setting up the cruise control and Autosteer of his Tesla Model S before foolishly - nay, completely stupidly - clambering into the back seat to wield his camera.

Not just idiotic, but incredibly illegal. Autopilot is still very much in its development phase, and can relinquish control and call for the driver on a whim, shold broken lane markings or even low sunlight get the better of its sensors.

Should that have happened while this Dutch driver gleefully filmed at 51mph, he’d have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Presumably with no seatbelt on…

Tesla overlord Elon Musk isn’t best pleased. “There’s been some fairly crazy videos on YouTube,” he’s been reported as responding to other videos of Autopilot-related japes.

“This is not good. We will be putting some additional constraints on when Autopilot can be activated to minimise the possibility of people doing crazy things with it.”

Don’t do it kids.