A driver appearing to be asleep behind the wheel while using Tesla Autopilot in rush-hour traffic on a Los Angeles-area freeway has been caught on camera. According to a Newsweek report, the incident is the latest in a growing line of similar incidents involving Tesla vehicles.
An eyewitness first shared the footage with ABC7. It showed the Tesla Model 3 traveling at the 405 and 5 interchange, with the driver reclined and not touching the wheel. The driver was allegedly still unresponsive while taking the 110 Freeway exit. The eyewitness told ABC7 that he called 911 after spotting the driver.
Problems with Tesla Autopilot
This incident is certainly not the first time we’ve seen a driver take a nap while behind the wheel of a Tesla equipped with Autopilot. This controversial, semi-autonomous feature has been investigated in connection with several fatal crashes worldwide. In 2018, a man was arrested in Palo Alto who was allegedly being asleep inside a Model S going 70 mph on Highway 101.
Authorities detained that man on suspicion of driving under the influence. In 2016, Model S driver Joshua Brown was killed in a Florida crash with a big rig after the Autopilot feature failed to distinguish the white side of a large 18-wheel truck from the bright sky. The family of an Apple engineer who died in a Model X crash in Silicon Valley is also suing Tesla, alleging that its Autopilot feature was defective and caused the fatal crash.
Tesla Has a Responsibility
The car manufacturer has described the Tesla Autopilot feature as an “advanced driver assistance system” intended for use by an attentive driver who keeps their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take control at any time. However, consumer advocates say drivers have been misled into believing this is a fully autonomous feature they can always rely on.
Currently, the Tesla Autopilot is not a fully autonomous vehicle. But the company has failed miserably in communicating that to consumers. Instead, it has lulled drivers into a false sense of security, leading them to believe it’s safe to let the vehicle cruise on Autopilot while not really paying attention to the road.
And this has proved fatal for more than one person. Not only is it dangerous for the driver, but also others on the roadway. Contact a California car accident lawyer if you have had an issue related to the Tesla Autopilot system.
If you’ve been injured in a crash, read our post on what happens during an insurance investigation in Los Angeles.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/tesla-autopilot-driver-asleep-video-california-los-angeles-freeway-self-driving-cars-1443746
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
