Story perspectives

Sleeping Driver Sparks Safety Fears for Tesla's Robotaxi

11/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

Tesla, Inc.'s Robotaxi in San Francisco was filmed with a safety driver sleeping, raising safety concerns.
The incident was captured on video and posted on Reddit, with others confirming similar experiences.
The user reported the issue to Tesla, Inc., but received no response.
California lawmakers may intensify scrutiny of Tesla's operations, noting the lack of full Robotaxi permits.
Waymo LLC holds DMV and CPUC permits, signaling a stronger safety commitment.

History

Historical Context

California began regulating autonomous vehicles in 2018, requiring permits for testing, with 62 issued by the DMV. This followed a series of incidents, including a fatal accident involving an autonomous Uber in 2018, raising safety concerns. The recent incident of a Tesla Robotaxi with a sleeping driver highlights ongoing compliance issues, prompting lawmakers to consider stricter regulations that could impact Tesla's operations in the state.

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Story summary

Tesla, Inc.'s Robotaxi in San Francisco was filmed with a safety driver sleeping, raising safety concerns.
The incident was captured on video and posted on Reddit, with others confirming similar experiences.
The user reported the issue to Tesla, Inc., but received no response.
California lawmakers may intensify scrutiny of Tesla's operations, noting the lack of full Robotaxi permits.
Waymo LLC holds DMV and CPUC permits, signaling a stronger safety commitment.

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