Female Driver Fined for Misusing Driver Assistance System

[Dangerous Driving] A female driver activated her vehicle's driver assistance system on the highway, then applied makeup, ate food, and filmed a video showing off her actions. When caught, she claimed, "It drives better than I do."

Key Takeaway: Driver Assistance ≠ Autonomous Driving — Drivers Remain Fully Responsible

Recently, highway traffic police in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, investigated a typical violation case. The driver, Lin, repeatedly engaged the driver assistance function while driving on the highway and then took both hands off the steering wheel to apply makeup, eat, and dance along to music, later uploading the video to social media.

Penalty Details: 200 RMB Fine and 3 Demerit Points

During questioning, Lin argued, "As a female driver, it drives better than I do," showing no awareness of the danger posed by her actions. Traffic police lawfully imposed a 200 RMB fine and deducted 3 points from her driver’s license.

Industry Impact: Clarifying the Boundaries of Driver Assistance Systems

Traffic authorities reiterated: Driver assistance is not autonomous driving, and drivers must always maintain full control of their vehicles. China’s Supreme People’s Court has also clarified that once a driver activates an assistance feature, the driver remains the legally responsible party.