Video Shows Driver Possibly Sleeping Behind The Wheel Of Tesla In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A Bay Area woman captured what appeared to be a startling and potentially dangerous moment on a highway in Marin County this week: a man slumped back in the driver's seat of a Tesla Cybertruck, eyes closed, apparently asleep while the vehicle continued moving in self-driving mode.

The 27-second video was filmed on May 16 by Taylor Bisacky, a former TV news professional now working as a content creator in the tech industry. Bisacky posted the footage to Instagram with a caption that summed up the reaction of many Bay Area residents: "Just another day in the Bay and another Tesla owner asleep at the wheel."

In the footage, a man is visible in the driver's seat with his head tilted back and no discernible movement. It remains unclear whether he was asleep or simply resting — the brevity of the video makes it difficult to say definitively.

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Regardless of the driver's condition, safety and legal experts stress that Tesla's Full Self-Driving system is classified as a Level 2 autonomous vehicle, meaning it is designed to assist drivers, not replace them. Under California law, drivers must remain fully alert and prepared to take control of the vehicle at any time — even when advanced driver-assistance features are engaged.

Falling asleep at the wheel, even in a vehicle equipped with self-driving technology, can be prosecuted under the California Vehicle Code for inattention or unsafe operation. Penalties may include fines, demerit points on a driver's license, and other legal consequences.

The California Highway Patrol has cautioned the public that drowsy driving carries risks comparable to drunk driving. Officials continue to urge all motorists to remain attentive behind the wheel, regardless of what automated features their vehicle may offer.

The California Highway Patrol and the Marin County Sheriff's Office has not responded for comment at time of publication.

It is not known whether either agency was aware of the incident.