A Tesla driver sleeping while on Autopilot mode is now being criticized after he was recorded by another driver.
David von Diemar
As of press time, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) always reminds car owners that there is now a vehicle that can fully run by itself yet.
Although Tesla and other giant automakers are making drastic efforts to design and manufacture a fully autonomous vehicle, they are still far from offering a perfect one.
Despite all the warnings provided by NHSTA, there are still some individuals who are not afraid to use their car's autonomous features irresponsibly.
Tesla "driver" sleeping in back seat while commuting on Chinese highway
Thompson was driving on the 5-South freeway at around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, August 1.
"The guy was completely passed out sleeping. We were stunned. My immediate reaction was to get a video," said the guy.
He added that seeing the Tesla driver sleeping while his car was driving itself on the road is absolutely stunning, sharing that he was shocked since the scenario seems to be surreal.
This just shows that Tesla drivers that are using the advanced Autopilot feature without paying attention on the road are still rampant.
Experts stated that although Tesla's autonomous feature provides warnings when drivers take off their hands on the steering wheel, some EV owners are able to bypass this safety function.
A Tesla driver and passenger in Massachusetts appear to be sleeping while on a major highway. The person who took the video said he beeped his horn, but the driver didn't move. DETAILS: https://t.co/ZNZgoWWndZpic.twitter.com/YKwv2j91Pr
One of the things they use to lessen Tesla Autopilot's warnings is using the so-called Autopilot Buddy; a small, weighted device that offers enough torque on the steering wheel so that it seems like the driver is still holding it.
Of course, this method is still against the law since it can endanger other drivers around you. Now, if you see one on the road, here's what you need to do.
How To Report Sleeping Tesla Driver?
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) group highly advises drivers to contact 911 if ever they see a sleeping driver while actively driving, especially those who own Tesla EVs.
But, before you call this emergency number, you must also know the plate number, the color, and other distinguishable features of the vehicle.
Now, before you start recording a video or taking down notes of the car's plate number, you still need to go to a safe location, as reported by Tavss Fletcher.
You can click this link to see further tips when you are near a sleeping driver.
Recently, the Tesla Virtual Machine Mode was launched, offering the world's first grid-scale inertia services.
On the other hand, the Tesla Semi Trucks received $40,000 incentives.
For more news updates about Tesla and other giant automakers, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
