US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has formally requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigate Tesla over reports of drivers intentionally sleeping while using Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems. The congressman addressed his concerns to the Secretary of Transportation, citing risks associated with driver over-reliance on automated features.
The official inquiry seeks specific accident data involving instances where drivers were drowsy while automated systems were engaged. Krishnamoorthi highlighted that current Tesla service terms mandate constant driver supervision, and authorities classify sleeping behind the wheel as an illegal act. Some drivers claim they can bypass in-cabin camera monitoring by wearing sunglasses.
The NHTSA previously examined Tesla's driver monitoring technology in 2024. The investigation linked foreseeable misuse of these systems to at least 467 collisions and 14 fatalities. Regulators concluded that the software's performance led drivers to trust the technology beyond its actual capabilities, creating significant safety gaps that prompted Tesla to issue OTA updates.
