Lawmaker Demands Federal Action after 43 Tesla Drivers Were Filmed Asleep at the Wheel
A US congressman has called for answers from the transportation secretary by September 30 regarding Tesla drivers who sleep while using Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode. Raja Krishnamoorthi, representing an Illinois district, raised concerns about the safety implications of Tesla’s system, especially with regard to drivers wearing sunglasses or covering the cabin camera lens.
This follows an investigation by NBC News that uncovered 43 videos of Tesla owners asleep or distracted while driving, with 17 uploaded this year and 13 citations issued in California. One driver admitted to sleeping while the system was active.
Tesla’s manual emphasizes driver responsibility, monitoring eye movement, head position, and steering input. However, owners have found ways to bypass these measures using sunglasses, doll heads, or photographs placed in front of the camera.
Krishnamoorthi’s letter highlights a specific concern about Tesla encouraging drivers detected as drowsy to stay focused with FSD, raising distinct safety questions.
Europe addressed this issue first when the Dutch regulator RDW approved FSD Supervised in April under UN Regulation 171. After extensive testing, drivers there must pass a tutorial and quiz before activating the feature. Five other EU countries subsequently adopted the Dutch approval without conducting their own assessments.
An EU-wide vote on the matter is expected in October, requiring support from at least 55% of member states representing 65% of the population. Meanwhile, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been reviewing 3.2 million Teslas since March, with one regulator questioning the effectiveness of safety safeguards.
Darius Popa is a technology enthusiast and intern at The Next Web, contributing to research-backed content and investigating new technologies and global events.