Pennsylvania (WE) – In yet another eyebrow-raising incident involving Tesla’s self-driving tech, a Pennsylvania man is making headlines after dozing off behind the wheel — and yes, the car was driving itself. But don’t let the “self-driving” part fool you — this isn’t science fiction. It ended in a crash.
Napping on the Highway? Not a Great Idea
On Friday, April 11, around 4:20 p.m., a driver heading west on U.S. Route 22 apparently thought it was the perfect time for a nap. His car? A Tesla equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology — or as many call it, Tesla’s most advanced driver assistance feature.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, the man was fully asleep at the wheel when his Tesla sideswiped another vehicle and then crashed into a construction sign that was meant to alert drivers to a work zone. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident. But both vehicles sustained minor damage, and it easily could have been worse.
Here’s where it happened:
- Location: U.S. Route 22, Pennsylvania
- Time: ~4:20 p.m. on April 11
- Conditions: Daylight, reportedly clear
- Vehicle: Tesla (model not yet confirmed)
- Technology in Use: Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta
What Police Had to Say
Authorities confirmed that the Tesla was using its self-driving feature while the driver was asleep. The vehicle sideswiped another car on its driver’s side before barreling into a construction sign.
“The driver was clearly asleep,” a state police officer told local reporters. “There was no attempt to correct or avoid the impact.”
The driver received two citations as a result of the crash. While police didn’t specify the exact violations, common ones include reckless driving, careless driving, or failure to maintain control of a vehicle.
Minor Damage, But Major Questions
The good news? No injuries. But the story shines a bright spotlight on Tesla’s controversial autonomous driving system — and the growing number of drivers treating it like a “set it and forget it” feature.
Both the Tesla and the other car sustained minor damage, and the construction sign was flattened in the crash. Given the state of construction zones and highway safety, things could’ve been a whole lot worse.
What Is Tesla Full Self-Driving Anyway?
If you’re new to Tesla’s tech, here’s the scoop:
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) designed to handle things like steering, lane changes, parking, and even navigating city streets. But there’s a big catch: It’s not actually fully autonomous.
According to Tesla’s own disclaimers — and you can see this on their official Autopilot page — drivers must remain alert and keep their hands on the wheel at all times. That includes watching the road and being ready to take over instantly if the system messes up.
“The currently enabled features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous,” Tesla says on its site.
But as this incident shows, not everyone is taking that warning seriously.
This Isn’t the First Time
Unfortunately, stories like this one are becoming increasingly common. Tesla drivers around the U.S. — and even internationally — have been caught:
- Sleeping at the wheel
- Watching movies or using their phones
- Sitting in the backseat while the car drives (yes, really)
Back in 2021, California police pulled over a Tesla traveling at 80 mph — with the driver completely knocked out. The car was using Autopilot.
In 2023, another incident in Illinois involved a Tesla crashing into a parked police cruiser while the driver was distracted.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has repeatedly investigated crashes involving Tesla’s self-driving and Autopilot features, especially when they involve emergency vehicles, construction zones, or driver inattention.
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The Bigger Picture: Tesla and Crash Stats
The U.S. Department of Transportation now requires automakers to report any crash involving advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). According to the latest NHTSA report, Tesla vehicles account for the vast majority of those crashes.
As of mid-2023:
- Tesla accounted for over 70% of all reported ADAS-related crashes
- Most involved Autopilot or FSD Beta
- Many occurred on highways, where drivers were over-relying on the tech
Critics argue that Tesla has marketed its systems in a way that encourages over-trust, even while disclaimers tell drivers to stay alert.
Why This Is a Problem
Let’s be real — the idea of a self-driving car is awesome. But we’re not there yet. Tesla’s FSD is powerful, yes, but it’s not magic. And it’s definitely not a replacement for a human driver.
Here’s what makes it extra risky:
- No eye-tracking or enforced attention: Some Tesla models don’t aggressively monitor if the driver is awake or watching the road.
- Easy to trick the system: Videos online show drivers using weights or other hacks to bypass steering wheel nags.
- Drivers fall into complacency: Over time, people just trust the system too much.
In fact, Consumer Reports has warned that Tesla’s system can create “a false sense of security” and that it “should not be considered fully autonomous.”
So What Happens Next?
For the Pennsylvania driver, things are relatively simple: two citations and hopefully a wake-up call. But for Tesla — and the tech industry at large — this is yet another PR headache and a reason for regulators to take a closer look.
The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has urged Tesla to rebrand its systems, arguing that names like “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” are misleading. The board has also recommended stricter driver monitoring systems, like the ones used in General Motors’ Super Cruise or Ford’s BlueCruise, which use cameras to watch your eyes.
As for the future of autonomous vehicles? Well, the road’s still a bit bumpy.
What Can Drivers Do?
If you own a Tesla or are considering buying one, here’s what to remember:
- Stay awake. Stay alert. Even if your car is technically “driving.”
- Hands on the wheel: Tesla systems will nag you, but don’t game the system. Just keep your hands there.
- Don’t trust it blindly: FSD is a tool, not a chauffeur. Use it wisely.
- Watch for updates: Tesla regularly updates FSD with new features or safety improvements.
And above all — don’t fall asleep at the wheel, even if your car can steer.
The Bottom Line
This Pennsylvania incident may not have ended in tragedy, but it’s yet another reminder that we’re not in the age of fully autonomous vehicles just yet. Tesla’s tech is fascinating, sure. But it still requires human supervision.
A sleeping driver in a self-driving car might sound like something from the future — but for now, it’s just a dangerous mistake.
Let’s hope stories like this become less common, not more.
What People Are Saying
The Pennsylvania crash has sparked a lot of conversation online. Here’s a quick roundup of public sentiment:
“This is exactly why FSD needs stricter monitoring.” – Reddit user on r/TeslaMotors
“People think it’s a robot taxi, but it’s not. This could’ve killed someone.” – Twitter
“Tesla should rename the feature. Full Self-Driving? It’s misleading.” – YouTube comment on EV channel
Final Thoughts: Cool Tech, Human Responsibility
Tesla’s self-driving tech is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the road. But incidents like this one in Pennsylvania show just how fragile that line is between trust and over-trust.
Until we have truly autonomous vehicles (we’re not there yet), the safest move is simple: stay awake, stay alert, and stay in control.
