A Tesla Model S driver was caught on dashcam using the emergency shoulder to pass.
Clark County-area driver and Redditor /u/GhostTrex16 shared headshaking dashcam footage from SR-502/ NE 219th St. from earlier in June (June 16, 2026) showing a reckless driver in their Tesla Model S needlessly using the emergency shoulder to pass.
Check out their goofball move below with the original Reddit thread linked here.
The incident happened on SR 502 in the 1500 block of NE 219th St, just before the intersection with NE 15th Ave. (Exact location on Google Maps linked here.)
As the dashcam shows, OP is headed east on NE 219th towards Battle Ground.
“Hard to see, but there was an ambulance that had turned onto the highway at the previous intersection with its lights on. It’s 50 mph on this road; the average is about 55+,” OP explained in the comments.
“Traffic slowed down and jockeyed a bit because of the slower semi-sidehauler. Then there’s this idiot…“
A driver in a Tesla Model S can be seen weaving in front of OP, and instead of passing safely in the fast lane, the Tesla dips onto the emergency shoulder, dangerously passing a semi-sidehauler before cutting in front of them.
The Tesla’s tires can be seen kicking up hazardous dust and debris that could’ve punctured a tire, sending the EV out of control.
Thankfully, the surrounding traffic, not wanting to get into an accident themselves, accommodated the driver’s illegal move.
“If I wasn’t supposed to drive here, why did they make this lane?” (Also, who else will use their tires to pick up all the nails and screws and other metal debris here?),” one of the top comments from /u/UnHappy-Giraffe2792 sarcastically reads.
“Even if it weren’t for the streets and driveways on the right, there’s all kinds of s*** on the shoulder that can shred a tire. Idiot,” /u/PDXGuy33333 also pointed out.
“As soon as they pull up and apply brakes is when you know something dumb is gonna happen,” /u/Stammbomb added.
In Washington, driving on the emergency shoulder when you’re not authorized is typically a traffic infraction. It can carry a fine that often lands around $136 or more, depending on court fees and jurisdiction. It generally does not add points to your license in Washington’s system, since the state doesn’t use a traditional point system like many other states.
