The situation
Real talk: the vibes are absolutely off with this one. A Tesla driver has admitted to being asleep behind the wheel while their car was supposedly in 'Full Self-Driving' (FSD) mode. The result? The vehicle barreled into two parked California Highway Patrol (CHP) cruisers on I-80 that were already handling a different accident.
The crash
The incident, captured on video, is honestly terrifying. Even with flares, traffic cones, and emergency lights flashing to signal an active scene, the Tesla didn't stop. It just kept speeding and rammed straight into the back of a patrol car. Two CHP officers were seriously injured and had to be rushed to the hospital.
The reality check
Let’s state the obvious: 'Full Self-Driving' is a marketing name, not a promise that you can catch some Zs on the freeway. CHP is reminding everyone that this tech does not let you off the hook—you are still the one responsible for your car.
This isn't the first time this has been a problem. Back in 2021, the NHTSA launched an investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot after it kept hitting parked emergency vehicles. They found the system wasn't doing enough to keep drivers engaged, leading to hundreds of crashes and way too many deaths. Tesla tried to patch things up in 2023 with more alerts, but the government is still looking into whether those updates actually moved the needle at all.
Why it matters
This is a classic case of why you should never rely on marketing hype over common sense. Even if the car is 'smart,' it isn't human, and it clearly isn't perfect. Lowkey, until these systems are actually autonomous, your hands need to stay on the wheel. Don't be the main character of a tragedy just because you wanted to nap on your commute.
