Driver of Ford Super Duty Decides to Relax in Rear Seat While Traveling at 84 MPH on Cruise Control

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One of the most perilous emerging types of reckless drivers are those who believe in the existence of autonomous vehicles. These individuals have mainly been observed in Teslas thus far, but it appears that this misconception is spreading. Consider this individual in a brand-new Ford Super Duty, captured on camera lounging in the back seat while the vehicle cruises along the highway at speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour without anyone in the driver’s seat, putting everyone in the vicinity at risk.

The video in question was initially shared by Instagram user @__c.crawford__. The individual is depicted reclining in the back seat of a 2023 or newer Ford F-450 Platinum crew cab, with nobody behind the wheel or operating the pedals. The accompanying caption of the video states “F450 driving itself,” a feature which the truck is definitely not equipped or marketed to perform.

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Ford presents various stages of driving automation, and hands-free BlueCruise stands as the company’s primary automation technology. Although BlueCruise is not autonomous, Ford stresses the importance of the driver maintaining visual focus on the road. Ford employs a driver monitoring system for this purpose, which will disengage if the vehicle suspects the driver is inattentive. (However, despite this, there have been two fatal accidents involving BlueCruise, prompting a federal investigation into the system.)

On the other hand, the F-450 lacks BlueCruise altogether. The most advanced assistance available on the Super Duty from Ford is a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping, both of which have minimal impact on the automation spectrum. These features are intended for use by drivers who maintain manual control with their hands on the steering wheel, not individuals who believe they can sit in the rear seat. Ford attempts to enforce this through pressure sensors on the steering wheel, yet Tesla drivers have discovered various methods to bypass them, as it appears this individual has done as well.

Some Tesla drivers have recorded themselves engaging in such behavior as “pranks,” and it is possible that this individual is doing the same. Regardless of whether he is trolling or not, the risks associated with overly confident tech enthusiasts in Teslas are significant, but those posed by 8,000-pound F-450 crew cabs are even more perilous due to their substantial weight. Based on the responses, he is not the sole believer that these vehicles can operate autonomously. This is why Tesla is under scrutiny for potentially misleading consumers. Until any positive developments arise from this investigation, it would benefit all road users if such behavior ceases.

[Editor’s note: This piece has been updated to provide more context for the video.]

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