Josh Saunders has written for the UK’s Daily Mail:
This is the shocking moment a Tesla driver was filmed sleeping behind the wheel as his self-driving car traveled at high speeds.
Clint Olivier captured the passed-out male as his car kept-up with other vehicles on the busy Interstate 5 in Los Angeles, California.
In the footage, a short haired driver can be seen with his head against the window of the black Tesla car and appears to be asleep.
Law states that people using Automated Driving Systems (ADS), including self-driving and autopilot features, ‘must be ready to take back control at any time.’
The clip had been watched more than 138,000 times as of Friday morning.
In the video, Olivier and his wife Alisha Gallon drove alongside the vehicle and at times saw the car speed ahead of them.
‘He[‘]s totally asleep… this is crazy,’ Gallon can be heard saying.
Meanwhile the driver remained sound-asleep throughout[,] only waking-up at the end of the 34 second clip.
Currently 29 states have legislation related to self-driving cars, laws are individually related to manufacturers. While the remaining states currently have no legislation on the book relating to the vehicles.
There are five levels of Automatic Driving System, the first three all require humans to either keep their hands on the wheel or to be ready to intervene at any time.
Levels four and five are currently being developed but have not been installed in vehicles.
These new developments will not require any human intervention other than in ‘certain conditions.’
Self-driving cars work through a series of cameras, radars and sensors, which use radio waves, light pulses and imagery to work out what is in front of the vehicle.
From there the car can adjust its speed to match what is considered to be safe in its surroundings.
[Tesla] CEO Elon Musk announced in May that all new models of the 3, X and S, have full self-driving capabilities.
Other car manufacturers also produce a range of automated driving systems[.][2]
This is not the first time that this has happened, by any stretch of the imagination. It is clear that the Tesla is an “accident waiting to happen,” and that it must be banned from American roads.
American and international lawyers may gear up for major class action lawsuits that will put the company out of business—and have it join the ranks of the DeLorean, Edsel and massive numbers of auto brands that no longer exist, and are in the dustbin of automotive history.
Also, Luke Kenton has written for the Daily Mail:
Dozens of Tesla drivers in California were forced to wait in an extensive line after what should’ve been a quick stop at a Supercharger station turned into an hours-long ordeal.
Shanon Stellini was travelling through Kettleman City on November 30 when she stumbled across a backlog of around 50 of the electric cars waiting to recharge in a half-mile line outside of at a station near Interstate 5.
‘Bet they wish they had gas’, quipped Stellini’s partner in a video she captured of the chaos – but for the drivers stranded in the stagnant line the issue was certainly no laughing matter.
The Kettleman City Supercharger station – located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco – is already immensely popular, but even with 40 charging stalls on-site the facility was still overrun by the overwhelming demand that one of the year’s busiest travel times brings.
To make matters worse, simultaneous re-charging slows down the speed of charging for everyone – encumbering a process that can already take up to as long as 75 minutes.
It’s unclear how long the Tesla drivers were forced to wait, however, one disgruntled commuter tweeted that he’d been waiting in the line for 40 minutes but only appeared to be ‘half way there’.
With Tesla’s Model 3 now being produced in mass, there are currently thought to be more than 400,000 Teslas on the roads of America.
But the surge in popularity has exposed a series of flaws in the Supercharger network’s operations this holiday season, which is sure to give the Elon Musk-owned company food for thought as the fallout seen in Kettleman City was not an isolated incident.
A day earlier, a video titled ‘Tesla Energy Crisis’ revealed a sizable line of 15 Teslas waiting for their turn at a Supercharger station in San Luis Obispo around 4.45pm on Thanksgiving day
Teslas could be seen wrapping around the outer edge of the Madonna Inn as families waited inside the running cars for a chance to refuel.
For a Model S Tesla at a Supercharger station, it will take about 20 minutes to charge 50 percent and 40 minutes to charge 80 percent.
Tesla’s website says that drivers will have enough to finish their trip on 80 percent, but owners can reach 100 percent fueled in 75 minutes.
Tesla’s Supercharger stations are described as the ‘world’s fastest charging network’ on the company’s website.
‘Supercharger stations are conveniently located near desirable amenities like restaurants, shops and WiFi hotspots. Each station contains multiple Superchargers to get you back on the road quickly,’ the company said.
It’s unclear how long the car owners waited to reach a Supercharger, but the video’s owner said the station was just given new equipment to help with the influx of holiday travelers.
‘The previous day, Tesla brought a Megapack that is said to be good for charging [approximately] 100 Teslas,’ the video post said.
Social media users shared photos of the Supercharger stations accompanied with Megapack chargers arriving to San Luis Obispo on Wednesday morning.
‘Megapack,’ a new massive energy storage product, was launched by Tesla in July and is being used in portable Supercharger stations to help bolster the company’s charging infrastructure.
Megapack will also be used in installations like the Moss Landing project in California with PG&E, which is a part of a new cost-effective energy storage project announced in June.
‘To match global demand for massive battery storage projects like Hornsdale, Tesla designed and engineered a new battery product specifically for utility-scale projects: Megapack,’ the company said in a blog.
During instances when Tesla drivers are expected to make long trips, like the holiday season, the tech company can roll out Mobile Supercharger units powered by Megapacks to several locations.
The US, parts of Asia, Europe and the Middle East have a combined total of 1,636 Supercharger Stations with 14,497 Superchargers.[3]
California, in particular, has experienced energy “blackouts,” which have affected millions of its residents and may last for another decade. Its electric utility PG&E has imposed mandatory cessations of electric power ostensibly to reduce the risks of fires triggered by the company’s network. Presumably vehicles like the Tesla become immovable “dead weights” when this occurs, which further exposes Tesla owners to the risks of serious injuries or deaths if they are unable to escape the raging infernos.
Their limited ranges when compared with gasoline-powered vehicles, the problems with disposing of Tesla batteries safely from an ecological standpoint, the absence of dealerships that can fix Tesla problems, the staggering debts that Tesla has incurred, all augur for major problems with the Tesla. There is also the risk that the company’s founder will implode psychologically as many of his fellow bipolar sufferers have done over time.
Will the Tesla survive? The odds are against it; however, it is not dead and buried yet. It has loyal followers—and vast numbers of detractors who consider it the “badge” of America’s ultra-Left and eco-Nazis, and concur that it must be banned.
© 2019, Timothy D. Naegele
[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). He and his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, specialize in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and https://naegeleblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/timothy-d.-naegele-resume-20-1-1.pdf). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service). Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com
[2] See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7387827/Tesla-driver-filmed-ASLEEP-wheel-self-driving-car-travels-high-speeds-LA.html (“Shocking moment a Tesla driver is filmed ASLEEP behind the wheel as his self-driving car travels at high speeds on the California interstate“); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-34-trillion-swindle-the-shame-of-global-warming/#comment-15896 (“Tesla Is An Accident Waiting To Happen, And Cannot Go Out Of Business Fast Enough”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-34-trillion-swindle-the-shame-of-global-warming/#comment-14734 (“Is The End Near For Elon Musk And Tesla?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-34-trillion-swindle-the-shame-of-global-warming/#comment-14554 (“Are Elon Musk And Tesla Imploding?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-34-trillion-swindle-the-shame-of-global-warming/#comment-14477 (“FEDS INTENSIFY TESLA PROBE”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-34-trillion-swindle-the-shame-of-global-warming/#comment-13481 (“The Musk-Tesla Bubble!”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-34-trillion-swindle-the-shame-of-global-warming/#comment-12656 (“Huckster Tesla Founder Rewarded”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-34-trillion-swindle-the-shame-of-global-warming/#comment-10525 (“The Swindle And Shame Of Global Warming: Electric Cars “) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/a-34-trillion-swindle-the-shame-of-global-warming/#comment-21046 (“(“Teslas: Accidents Waiting To Happen”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/abortions-and-autos-kill-more-in-america-than-guns/#comment-16844 (“Tesla On The Brink Of Failure“) and http://www.dickmorris.com/legal-pot-sends-highway-deaths-soaring-lunch-alert/ (“Legal Pot Sends Highway Deaths Soaring“)
[3] See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7755753/Chaos-California-Tesla-drivers-stranded-hours-half-mile-long-line-charge.htm (“‘Bet they wish they had gas!’ Chaos in California as Tesla drivers are stranded for hours in a half-a-mile-long line to charge their cars on Black Friday”)
It is worthwhile reading the “best” reader comments beneath this article.
Tesla On Autopilot Rear-Ends A Police Car [UPDATED]
Lauren Edmonds has written for the UK’s Daily Mail:
See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7767627/Tesla-autopilot-rear-ends-cop-car-driver-checked-dog-backseat.html (“Tesla on autopilot rear-ends a cop car and then slams into a pedestrian vehicle as the driver ‘checked on their dog in the backseat'”) (emphasis added; chart and video omitted); see also https://news.yahoo.com/lofty-promises-autonomous-cars-unfulfilled-014746257.html (“Lofty promises for autonomous cars unfulfilled“)
Again, Teslas are dangerous and must be banned from American roads. Nothing less will suffice.
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN “THINKING” IS ON AUTOPILOT
“Around 90 percent of Tesla Model 3 drivers say the Tesla’s software for automated driving for parking lots and highways make them feel safer”. After all they paid a premium for Tesla and can not afford to admit they were wrong. So, in certain instances, emotion overrules logic or even basic common sense (survival).
I suspect the same physiological mechanism is at work regarding the House’s continued actions to formally Impeach President Trump. Nancy Pelosi intends to draft Articles of Impeachment and forward them to the U.S. Senate for trial sometime next year ( after Christmas ). Hate never sleeps.
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Yes, indeed, Craig.
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Elon Musk is Just Another Broke (Tech.) Billionaire
I think we are witnessing the Massacre of the Unicorns. All these billionaire tech. CEO’s and quite a few lesser Software Developers can leverage their paper profits into tangible assets, such as Elon Musk’s recent purchase of a Mansion in Bel Air, Calif. Its all based on debt, credit, and leverage. However, when the House of Cards comes tumbling down with lower stock valuations, we see real estate deflation and lower income tax receipts for the State of Calif. (FTB). What’s next to Calif. when the Silicone Valley profit center shrinks?
https://www.sovereignman.com/investing/broke-billionaires-and-other-ridiculous-signs-of-the-top-26859/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sm_notes&utm_campaign=notes&utm_content=20191210_broke_b
Elon Musk buys former hedge fund owners 10 bedroom mansion in Bel-Air for $17 Million in 2012.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-buys-out-the-neighbors-11575566296
Just as long as capital is cheap (free) or easy, big corporate borrowers can leverage it into all sorts of tangible assets, primarily high-end Calif. real estate. Financial Kingdoms enabled by FED ultra low interest rate paradigm. It does not matter if the economic engine are (tech) companies with negative cash flow and little or no profits. Fake Money, Fake Economy, Fake News. Its all one big illusion, like the Emperor with No Cloths. Living in the Stupid Era. No Joke.
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Thank you, Craig.
Yes, I have thought for years that the “balloon” would burst again, far worse than the “Great Recession” of 2008, but it hasn’t happened yet. Problems were “papered over,” not resolved.
Economic history is replete with periodic depressions and deep recessions. And yes too, the hyper-inflated property values might come tumbling down. But again, the “day of reckoning ” has not occurred.
No one knows when it will. Guesses don’t count for anything.
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Get ready for some bargain prices ( once in a lifetime) as the ongoing Depression further develops. A Mansion in Bel Air? Quite possibly if you really want it. Keep your powder dry, as they say.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-24-13/
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
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Tim:
Better read this one. Its much bigger than just Tesla’s Money Pit.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/products_services/products/the-truth-behind-the-repo-crisis/
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Thank you, Craig.
Here is something similar.
See https://www.seeitmarket.com/is-repo-market-fiasco-about-to-get-serious/ (“Is The Repo Market Fiasco About To Get Serious?”)
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See https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/24/tesla-full-self-driving/ (“Tesla owners can now request ‘Full Self-Driving’, prompting criticism from regulators and safety advocates”) and https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10028917/Tesla-owners-choose-self-driving-software-meaning-thousands-soon-hit-road.html (“Tesla owners can now choose ‘full self-driving’ software at the press of a button for the first time: Thousands could soon hit the road with the unregulated features”)
This is outrageous. ALL Teslas should be banned from American roads.
How many people will die or become injured seriously because of this?
When you see ANY Tesla on the road, beware. It may be coming for you or a loved one!
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LITTLE KNOW TESLA FACTS
First of all, since there are no Tesla Dealerships with a service dept like Ford, you can only get warranty service from a field technician. During the standard 3-year new car warranty, the Tesla technician comes directly to your house and services your Tesla. However, once the 3-year period expires, you are on your own. The cost of service goes-up markedly and you are put at the back of the line, as priority goes to warranty service calls first.
Most Tesla buyers don’t know this. Therefore, Tesla is best ONLY for those who lease, not buy. Post warranty service support is weak and you can not order parts yourself to DIY. Only Tesla technicians can order new Tesla replacement parts, as there is no aftermarket for them, as yet.
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Thank you, Craig.
Yes, it is emerging as a dangerous scam.
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See https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/13/tech/tesla-autopilot-emergency-crashes/index.html (“U.S. opens probe into Tesla’s Autopilot over emergency vehicle crashes”)
Just the beginning of such probes and lawsuits?
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See https://gizmodo.com/finnish-man-passes-on-paying-22-600-to-replace-his-tes-1848268874 (“Finnish Man Blows Up Tesla Car Instead of Replacing Battery”)
Totally understandable.
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See also https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10463911/Tesla-recalls-54-000-cars-self-driving-software-lets-run-stop-signs.html (“Tesla recalls self-driving software on 54,000 cars after it let them run stop signs: Electric vehicle maker will disable feature with an over-the-internet an update early February”)
Such Teslas are “accidents waiting to happen,” which must be banned from American roads.
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See https://www.tmz.com/2022/04/22/tesla-autopilot-crashes-vision-jet-3-million/ (“Tesla on Autopilot Crashes Into $3 Million Jet”)
Again, self-driving cars and trucks must be banned.
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TESLA STOCK RETURNS, INFLATION, AND LA DULCE VIDA
Regardless of what you think of Elon Musk or Tesla, the Company, realize that its stock price has appreciated 18,000 % in the past ten years ! Microsoft is only up 400% over the same time period. I WISH I had believed in Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and bought just 100 shares. Would be drinking pina colata on a private Caribbean Island with white sandy beaches blue ocean. Alas, none of us had the “vision thing” where it really counts *$$$)
I could have then bought one of the two islands previously owned by Jeffrey Epstein in the U.S. Virgin Islands. ( Trump entered a contract to buy both said islands for about $ 115 Million. ) There are two ways to beat inflation: Invest in a company like Tesla or buy underpriced hard assets and hold long term because the inflation cycle is just revving-up. Never bet against Elon Musk unless you want to lose a bet.
ALL THOSE TRILLIONS OF PRINTED MONEY ARE COMING HOME TO ROOST. It may even officially exceed 21% per year by the end of this decade. (Commodity Super-cycle is underway, or at leas the first leg up ( Wave #1). Early Tesla investors can easily outrun any rate of inflation. However, I am not so sure about the Tax Man, who has a race car.
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Thank you, Craig, as always.
Again, my comment was directed at self-driving cars and trucks, such as the one in the article that I cited, which was involved in the accident. They are menaces, which should be banned.
I began being critical of Musk, but changed my mind because of his SpaceX successes, which are very impressive.
With respect to Teslas, my thoughts are set forth in the article above and comments beneath it, which I will not repeat.
Regarding inflation, and the trajectory of the economy, what goes up can come down, sometimes with a crash. Our economy is overheated beyond belief; and several factors may change that (e.g., the tightening by the Fed; an expansion of the war in Ukraine; China’s assault on Taiwan).
Conventional wisdom supports your conclusions.
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Electric Vehicles Are Unsafe
See, e.g., https://www.foxnews.com/politics/electric-vehicles-exploding-water-damage-hurricane-ian-top-florida-official-warns (“Electric vehicles are exploding from water damage after Hurricane Ian, Florida official warns”)
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Steps Must Be Taken Now To Ban Teslas And Other Electric Vehicles
See, e.g., https://www.westernjournal.com/puncture-critical-ev-part-triggers-thermal-runaway-20000-gallons-water-needed-bring-control/ (“Puncture of Critical EV Part Triggers ‘Thermal Runaway’ – 20,000 Gallons of Water Needed to Bring It Under Control”) and https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/24/us-electric-vehicles-lithium-consequences-research?CMP=share_btn_link (“how US transition to electric cars threatens environmental havoc”)
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Proof That EVs Must Be Banned, Including Teslas?
See, e.g., https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11690327/California-fire-crews-use-SIX-THOUSAND-gallons-water-extinguish-burning-Tesla-Model-S.html (“California fire crews use SIX THOUSAND gallons of water to extinguish burning Tesla Model S whose battery spontaneously combusted while driving down busy freeway”)
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