US senator: Tesla needs safeguards to prevent drivers from sleeping on ‘Autopilot’

Markey cited a local news report that said a driver had fallen asleep behind the wheel as a Tesla drove 14 miles on Autopilot. Other unconfirmed videos on social media appear to show drivers sleeping behind the wheel of Tesla vehicles. — Reuters

Democratic US Senator Ed Markey asked Tesla Inc on Nov 20 to disable its "Autopilot" driver-assistance system until it installs new safeguards to prevent drivers from evading system limits that could let them fall asleep.

"Tesla should disable Autopilot until it fixes the problem," Markey said at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on advanced vehicle technologies.