logo
Wikimedia Commons/Ian Maddox/CC BY-SA 4.0
Wikimedia Commons/Ian Maddox/CC BY-SA 4.0

Police Stop Tesla Driver Who Fell Asleep While on Autopilot

Jené Liebenberg
Jul 16, 2021
09:00 P.M.

Law enforcement officers drove behind a Tesla for more than two miles in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, before the driver realized that they were trying to pull him over.

Advertisement

Tesla's autopilot function can be both a blessing and a curse because while it allows the driver the luxury of taking his hands off the wheel, it is also tempting to doze off or become preoccupied with a cellphone or laptop.

Police officers from Kenosha County, Wisconsin, came across a Tesla that was crossing over the Wisconsin/ Illinois border, but the driver was taking a nap behind the wheel, not paying any attention to his surroundings.

Driver of the Tesla. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

Driver of the Tesla. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

SLEEPING BEHIND THE WHEEL

Footage of the incident was captured by the officer, Deputy Gomez, showing the black vehicle on the road driving at a speed of 82 mph. When he pulled up alongside the car, he saw the driver with his head down, not looking at the road ahead.

Advertisement

The officer pulled his vehicle in behind the Tesla and put his lights and sirens on to try to get the attention of the driver, but for more than two miles, the car continued straight, with the driver not showing any recognition of the police.

GETTING HIS ATTENTION

Eventually, Deputy Gomez pulled up alongside the black car for a second time and managed to get the attention of the sleeping driver, who proceeded to pull the Tesla off the side of the road.

The Tesla was towed because the driver was not permitted to come and fetch his vehicle later.

The driver stepped out of the car, and when questioned by the police officers about why he was sleeping, he said that he was tired but that he wasn't sleeping behind the wheel.

Driver of the Tesla. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

Driver of the Tesla. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

Advertisement

EXPLAINING THE SITUATION

The 38-year-old driver revealed that he was on his way to work and that because he works seven days a week, he was very tired. However, he continued to deny that he was sleeping in the vehicle.

Deputy Gomez explained that even though the Tesla has autopilot, it remains unsafe to be unconscious behind the wheel because if something were to happen on the road suddenly, the driver would be unable to react.

Screenshot of police officer talking to driver of the vehicle. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

Screenshot of police officer talking to driver of the vehicle. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

ON AUTOPILOT

The footage shows how the police officer searches the vehicle and finds that it was on autopilot, which proves that the driver was not actively involved in steering the Tesla.

Advertisement

The driver continued to deny that he was sleeping, repeating that he was only tired but that he did not doze off. The officer revealed that he had proof that he was not conscious behind the wheel and said:

"You are going to get a ticket now, because you were sleeping."

Screenshot of tow truck driver standing by the Tesla. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

Screenshot of tow truck driver standing by the Tesla. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

WRITING THE TICKET

Deputy Gomez had to return to his vehicle to look up what ticket to give the driver because the regulations surrounding autopilot is not clear.

The law enforcement officers also didn't permit the driver to get back into his vehicle but offered to drop him off at the nearest truck stop because it was too much of a risk to allow him to get behind the wheel again.

Advertisement
Screenshot of Tesla driver sitting in the police vehicle. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

Screenshot of Tesla driver sitting in the police vehicle. | Source: YouTube/ Code Blue

The Tesla was towed because the driver was not permitted to come and fetch his vehicle later. The tow truck driver struggled to get the Tesla loaded but eventually managed and got it off the road.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Mom Enters Daughter’s Room and Sees That Girl and All Her Stuff Have Disappeared – Story of the Day

December 07, 2023

Heroic Teen Boy Found Dead Next to Roadway with a Dog by His Side: Details & Update

December 18, 2023

Boy, 10, Gets Arrested and Held in Jail over a Mind-Blowing Reason – His Mom Sues the Police for $2 Million

March 01, 2024

Сops Can’t Trace Boy Who Didn’t Return from School, Week Later Dog Brings Mom His Backpack – Story of the Day

January 18, 2024

Mother Enters Daughter’s Room and Sees That Girl and All Her Stuff Have Disappeared – Story of the Day

December 19, 2023

Bus Driver Overhears Elderly Woman's Call With Grandson, Exposes $35K Scam — Story of the Day

February 13, 2024

Michael B. Jordan Involved in Car Crash at 36 – Known Details & Photos

December 04, 2023

Black Man Faces Bias at Store – Story of the Day

February 01, 2024

I Sent My Daughter to My Mother for Summer, Soon I Learned My Mom Died and Daughter Disappeared – Story of the Day

February 20, 2024

Wealthy Heir Humiliates Beggar Outside Luxury Hotel, Finds His Bank Account Drained Next Morning – Story of the Day

March 09, 2024

Lady Spots 'Help' on Car's Window in Traffic Jam, Realizes Something's Off – Story of the Day

December 18, 2023

Girl Watches TV Report on Plane Crash's Lone Survivor, Is Shocked to See Her Own Face There – Story of the Day

December 10, 2023

I Sent Daughter to My Mom for Summer, Coming There I Learned My Mom Died and Daughter Disappeared – Story of the Day

December 15, 2023

7 Real-Life Instant Karma Stories Witnessed by People

February 26, 2024