Video Shows Tesla Driver Fully Asleep At The Wheel Of Self-Driving Car

Social media users are concerned and enraged over footage of a sleeping driver behind the wheel of a Tesla self-driving car. 

The footage, which was taken by politician Clint Olivier, shows a person apparently asleep at the wheel of a self-driving Tesla on 1-5 in Los Angeles. Oliver tweeted at Ralph Nader and Tesla. 

“@RalphNader Ralph can you do anything about stopping this disturbing phenomenon? My wife and I shot this video last week on the busy 1-5 in LA. @Tesla #sleepingdrivers #unsafeatanyspeed” 

https://twitter.com/ClintOlivier/status/1164210028842065920

Olivier’s tweet went ended up causing a debate about the safety of self-driving cars.

“Totally and utterly irresponsible behavior, the best thing to do is video as you have, note the license plate number and call 911 and follow the car just as you would if you came across a drunk driver on the road who could kill someone, coordinating with the police,” one user said. 

Some folks drew attention to the fact that a sleeping driver in a Tesla is probably safer than the behavior of someone at the wheel who is distracted.

Others noted that the self-driving car was working as intended. 

According to Tesla’s website, “All new Tesla cars come standard with advanced hardware capable of providing Autopilot features today, and full self-driving capabilities in the future—through software updates designed to improve functionality over time.” 

Tesla also notes that “current Autopilot features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Patricia Grisafi

Patricia Grisafi, PhD, is a freelance writer and educator. Her work has appeared in Salon, Vice, Bitch, Bustle, Broadly, The Establishment, and elsewhere. She is passionate about pit bull rescue, cursed objects, and designer sunglasses.