Troopers stopped a Tesla driver after spotting her asleep behind the wheel while traveling 78 mph on Interstate 5 in south King County, police said.
The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday on I-5 near South 272nd Street in Federal Way, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The Tesla passed a trooper while traveling 78 mph, Trooper Rick Johnson said. As the vehicle went by, the trooper noticed the driver appeared to be asleep.
“The scary thing is that the trooper noticed the driver was asleep!!” Johnson said in a social media post Tuesday.
The trooper was able to safely stop the vehicle without incident.
The driver was cited for second-degree negligent driving, a traffic infraction that carries a fine of roughly $300, according to WSP.
Drowsy Driving Remains a Serious Risk
While Tesla vehicles include driver-assistance features, the systems are not designed to replace an attentive driver and require motorists to remain alert and ready to take control at all times.
The incident also highlights the dangers of drowsy driving, which safety experts say remains a major cause of crashes nationwide.
Around 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers in a recent reporting year, resulting in about 50,000 injuries and nearly 800 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Safety officials believe the true number is likely higher because fatigue can be difficult to identify after a crash.
Washington State Patrol frequently reminds drivers that signs of fatigue can be just as dangerous as impairment, reducing reaction times and increasing the risk of serious crashes.
No injuries were reported in Tuesday’s incident.
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