At around 2:30 AM on 3rd March in Neijiang, Sichuan, a driver, Mr. Yin, was operating a small new-energy vehicle with a Chongqing licence plate in self-driving mode when he dozed off. As the vehicle approached the Dongxing Toll Station on the Neida Expressway, it failed to recognise the toll booth entrance in time and crashed into the toll station’s safety island. The accident caused damage to the vehicle, the safety island, anti-collision barriers, and toll station equipment. Fortunately, the driver sustained only minor injuries.

CCTV footage shows the car speeding into the safety island before flipping twice across two lanes and finally coming to a stop near the toll station entrance. Images provided by expressway authorities reveal that the car’s airbags deployed, the front section was severely damaged, and a front wheel had detached.

Highway police arrived at the scene and confirmed that Mr. Yin was the only person in the vehicle. Aside from the damage to his car, the toll station’s safety structures were also affected. Luckily, he escaped with only minor external injuries and no fractures.

When questioned by police, Mr. Yin admitted that he had activated the vehicle’s self-driving mode and fallen asleep. “The car probably didn’t detect the toll station entrance and just crashed straight into it,” he said.

Authorities believe the crash could have been much worse if not for the anti-collision sand barrels placed at the safety island. These barriers were recently installed after a highway safety inspection identified potential risks.

Highway police reminded drivers that autonomous driving technology is fundamentally an “assisted driving” feature, meaning that drivers must remain alert and ready to take control at all times. Despite engaging self-driving mode, Mr. Yin failed to remain attentive, violating road safety laws by both “driving while fatigued” and “misusing an assisted driving system.” He will be held responsible for damages to both his vehicle and the toll station’s infrastructure.

The incident remains under further investigation.