An Uber rider in California recorded an alarming incident where their driver appeared to doze off while driving a Tesla on several major highways in the early morning hours.
Footage from the night of July 6 depicts the driver, who had the vehicle in full self-driving mode, taking his hands off the wheel and nodding his head repeatedly.
The passenger mentioned to a local news outlet that they were en route from Yorba Linda to Santa Ana when the unsettling event unfolded around 3:30 a.m.
During this journey, the Tesla traveled on Route 91 and then continued onto Routes 57 and 5, as indicated by the passenger.
The video reveals the driver struggling to keep his eyes open, his head bobbing as the car continues moving. At one point, the passenger tries to check on the driver, asking, “Are you okay, dude?”
The driver seems distressed but doesn’t respond to the inquiry.
After the incident, the passenger reached out to Uber, who apologized but stated that the ride wouldn’t qualify for a refund, despite the dangerous nature of the situation.
This alarming event follows other reports of Tesla drivers falling asleep while using assisted driving technology. Recently, another passenger in Orange County filmed their Uber driver apparently asleep during a trip to Costa Mesa. Additionally, witnesses saw a Tesla driver seemingly napping on Highway 5 near Camp Pendleton.
Earlier this year, a woman in Florida was discovered asleep on the highway after attempting to drive her Tesla home on autopilot while intoxicated.
Law enforcement officials noted that Tesla’s eye detection technology is designed to deactivate if the driver keeps their eyes closed for too long, intending to encourage safer driving practices.
The company reminds drivers that those using full autonomy must remain attentive and ready to take control of their vehicle at all times.
