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Video Shows Sleeping Tesla Driver On 5 Freeway Near Santa Clarita

A video appears to show a sleeping Tesla driver on the 5 Freeway near Santa Clarita on Saturday.

The driver was reportedly asleep at the wheel while traveling at speeds of about 70 miles an hour on the 5 Freeway on Aug. 17, according to Clint Olivier, who took the video.

Olivier and his wife, Alisha, were driving along the 5 Freeway when the couple spotted a driver who appeared to be asleep, describing the incident as a “disturbing phenomenon.”

Although Tesla’s autopilot offers drivers assistance, the semi-autonomous program still requires drivers to be fully able to operate the vehicle at all times.

“Autopilot is intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time,” according to Tesla’s website.

Olivier did not contact law enforcement about the driver because the motorist appeared to regain consciousness after about 30 seconds of filming, he said.

The California Highway Patrol Newhall Area Office confirmed no reports were made about the alleged incident, according to Officer Eric Priessman, spokesperson for the office.

“We received no reports of the incident,” Priessman said.

The CHP officer warned of the danger of being asleep behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, even if there is an autopilot feature.

Priessman added that drivers with a semi-autonomous car should always be both awake and sober while operating a motor vehicle.

“Self-driving cars are never a substitute for a fully aware driver,” Priessman said.


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Video Shows Sleeping Tesla Driver On 5 Freeway Near Santa Clarita

2 comments

  1. SO-O-O-O-O many things wrong with this.
    Wouldn’t being sound asleep considered distracted driving?
    And how could police even make a traffic stop?
    Driverless cars are a Bad Idea!

  2. So glad pot was legalized – I see half asleep drivers all the time now all over the SCV.

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.