Congressman Presses DOT on Tesla FSD After 43 Sleeping-Driver Videos
Lawmaker demands federal investigation into driver monitoring systems following viral social media compilation.
A US Congressman has formally pressed the Department of Transportation to investigate Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, citing a compilation of 43 videos showing drivers appearing to sleep or be unresponsive while the system is engaged.
What Happened
The lawmaker submitted a request to the DOT highlighting the specific instances captured in the video compilation. The footage shows drivers in Tesla vehicles utilizing FSD features while seemingly asleep or not actively supervising the drive. The Congressman argued that these visual records warrant a federal review of the driver monitoring capabilities within the software suite.
Why It Matters
This development intensifies regulatory scrutiny on Tesla’s autonomy claims. While Tesla has long maintained that FSD requires active driver supervision, the circulation of these videos challenges the effectiveness of current monitoring systems. A DOT investigation could lead to stricter compliance requirements or recalls if regulators determine that the software fails to adequately ensure driver attention.
The Bottom Line
Tesla faces renewed pressure from Washington as federal regulators are asked to examine the safety of FSD driver monitoring following the viral spread of sleeping-driver footage.
