The driver of a Tesla operating in self-driving mode was cited recently after he was found asleep at the wheel as it was driving on Interstate Highway 80, the California Highway Patrol’s Solano-area office said Friday.
On Sept. 2, the Tesla was seen by an officer driving at 60 mph on I-80 while the driver was slumped in his seat, according to the CHP.
After a traffic stop, the individual was cited for violating a state law that says drivers should not use unsafe speed on a highway. By law, self-driving mode assists drivers, but does not replace them, according to the CHP.
Scott Heitman, an officer with CHP Solano, said that there are no specific penalties yet for operators sleeping while cars are in self-driving mode, but some laws can apply, like basic speeding rules.
“What’s the safe speed for being asleep? Zero miles per hour,” said Heitman.
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