‘Sleeping at the wheel is illegal,’ CHP tells Tesla drivers
Sep 25, 2026
(KRON) -- A California Tesla driver was recently caught slumped over and snoozing while behind the wheel. In Solano County, a California Highway Patrol officer spotted the Tesla traveling 60 miles-per-hour down a highway while the driver was "speed napping," the CHP wrote.
Tesla's FSD technology st
ands for "Full Self-Driving," not "Full Snooze Drive," CHP officials said.
The driver, who was wearing dark sunglasses, thought he could use FSD to catch up on sleep during his commute home from work, officials said.
The eagle-eyed officer pulled the sleepy driver over, handed him a citation, and educated him on state traffic laws for high tech vehicles.
"Sleeping at the wheel is illegal. Engaging self-driving technology does not legally transfer control to the car. You are still the legal driver, and taking a nap while in motion violates California traffic safety laws. You must remain fully alert and ready to take over driving at a moment's notice," the CHP Solano County office wrote. "Drive awake, stay alert, and arrive alive."
In March, a Tesla driver appeared to be asleep while traveling on Highway 4 in Pittsburg. A witness' video shows a man at the driver’s seat — along with the front passenger — sleeping.
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