Female driver filmed taking afternoon nap behind wheel of self-driving Tesla as it barreled down California freeway
A Tesla driver in California was caught on camera sleeping behind the wheel of the self-driving car while barreling down the freeway.
The driver, who appeared to be a woman, was seen with their head comfortably against the seat while they slouched down behind the wheel.
Footage obtained by ABC 7 caught by a nearby driver on the 10 Freeway in Colton saw the woman's car shoot past them at around 3.30pm on Sunday.
The video showed a busy freeway on a sunny day with the driver, who appeared to be alone, in a white Tesla.
According to ABC 7, the person recording the insane moment called the police immediately.
Officers from the California Highway Patrol were dispatched to the area, but were unable to find the driver, the outlet reported.
A series of Tesla drivers have been caught taking cat naps while behind the wheel.
Tesla's autopilot system is able to assist drivers but it does not make the vehicle totally autonomous, the company's website states. Users are required to keep their hands on the wheel to maintain control.
Footage caught by a nearby driver on the 10 Freeway in Colton saw the sleeping woman's car shoot past them at around 3.30pm on Sunday
Tesla's autopilot system is able to assist drivers but it does not make the vehicle totally autonomous, the company's website states
A video that went viral late last year caught another person sleeping in the driver's seat of a red Tesla.
The footage, which was posted on Reddit, saw the driver cruising down the freeway at around 2pm on August 22.
In the video, the sleeping driver also appeared to have a neck pillow behind her head.
'Seriously. If this was only endangering the irresponsible driver, then, you know, congrats, Darwin Award. But endangering other people is not cool,' one comment said.
'Should've honked at her. I’m in the autonomous vehicle industry and I would never feel comfortable sleeping in that,' another wrote.
Two years earlier, in February 2023, another Tesla driver was spotted asleep on a California highway.
The woman was seen appearing unconscious behind the wheel at around 4pm on the 15 Freeway near Temecula.
The person filming is said to have followed the vehicle for 15 minutes, honking and trying to get the driver's attention, reports local station KTLA 5.
The incident was captured by a fellow motorist who asked 'are you nuts?'
She then called 911 to report the incident.
A voice in the video is heard saying: 'Look at how dangerous that is. You guys I'm sorry that is too damn dangerous.
'Sleeping and this car is driving you. Are you nuts?'
The Daily Mail reached out to the California Highway Patrol and Tesla for comment.
