A California Tesla driver allegedly turned a highway commute into nap time, appearing to sleep behind the wheel as the vehicle traveled at roughly 60 mph.
The motorist was reportedly slumped over while wearing dark sunglasses and driving through Solano County with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving feature activated, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A CHP motorcycle officer spotted the apparently sleeping driver and promptly pulled the Tesla over.
Authorities cited the driver for unsafe speed and used the traffic stop to make clear that “Full Self-Driving” does not mean motorists can disengage entirely from the road.
“Power naps belong in a parking spot, not in the driver’s seat,” CHP wrote in a social media post about the unusual stop.
Despite its name, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system is intended to assist drivers, not replace them. Motorists must remain attentive and prepared to take control at all times.
CHP emphasized that activating driver-assistance technology does not give anyone legal permission to sleep while a vehicle is moving.
“Features like Tesla’s FSD are Level 2 driver assistance tools,” the agency said. “By law, they assist your driving — they do not replace you.”
The Solano County case is not the first time a Tesla driver has allegedly treated the vehicle’s seat as a place to sleep.
In May, a Tesla Cybertruck driver was recorded apparently nodding off behind the wheel while the electric pickup traveled along Highway 101 in Marin County.
Footage obtained by KRON4 showed the driver seemingly asleep as the Cybertruck moved through the busy Bay Area highway at about 4 p.m. on May 16.
CHP issued a warning at the time, stressing that advanced vehicle technology does not remove the driver’s responsibility.
“Regardless of any special features a vehicle may possess, such as autopilot or fully autonomous capabilities, drivers are still responsible for the vehicle they are operating,” CHP said. “If a driver is asleep behind the wheel, they are in violation of California’s basic speed law.”
Another Tesla-related sleeping incident in March raised even more serious concerns.
Vacaville police said officers found a motorist allegedly intoxicated by alcohol and drugs passed out behind the wheel of a black Tesla. The vehicle had reportedly been seen traveling through city streets while apparently using its driver-assistance system.
A concerned caller reported the moving vehicle at around 11 a.m., allowing officers to locate it.
When police found the Tesla, the driver was allegedly asleep in the front seat. Authorities said a pizza box and a package of miniature wine bottles were nearby.
The unidentified driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Following the latest stop, CHP offered a straightforward reminder to drivers tempted to let technology handle the road while they sleep: stay awake, remain alert and wait until the vehicle is parked before taking a nap.
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