A US congressman has called on federal transportation regulators to address incidents of Tesla drivers sleeping while their Full Self-Driving system is active, urging answers by the end of September.
- 43 Tesla drivers filmed sleeping with FSD engaged
- Congressman requests federal agency response by September 30
- EU regulators require driver education and have limited approvals
What happened
US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has demanded that federal regulators clarify their plans to address Tesla drivers who have been filmed sleeping or otherwise inattentive while Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode is activated. The congressman responded to an investigation revealing at least 43 videos of Tesla drivers caught on camera asleep behind the wheel, including multiple incidents this year and citations issued in California.
In his letter to the transportation secretary, Krishnamoorthi specifically asked if Tesla’s in-car monitoring camera can effectively detect driver attention when obscured by sunglasses or objects placed to deceive the system. He also raised concerns about the safety implications when the system prompts distracted or drowsy drivers to ‘stay focused with FSD,’ a new area of risk identified in Tesla’s evolving technology.
Why it matters
The incidents spotlight challenges in regulating semi-autonomous driving technologies where the driver remains legally responsible but may neglect safe practices. Tesla’s FSD system tracks eye and head movements to ensure driver engagement, but users have circumvented these safeguards allowing unsafe behavior. This raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of current monitoring technologies and the responsibility of regulators to enforce safer standards.
What to watch next
US regulators are currently conducting an engineering analysis on over three million Tesla vehicles, a process that could inform potential new safety mandates or restrictions on the use of FSD features. Krishnamoorthi’s request for a formal response by September 30th signals increased congressional scrutiny and possible legislative or regulatory action.
In Europe, a forthcoming vote involving member states could decide on wider acceptance or additional oversight of Tesla’s self-driving system. The outcome will impact around 42 million people and may shape future regulatory frameworks globally. Observers will also watch whether further transparency is provided regarding Tesla’s safety data given past attempts to keep assessments confidential.