A B.C. woman was fined $368 after witnesses recorded her apparently sleeping while her Tesla travelled on Highway 1 in North Vancouver.
Witnesses Spot a Troubling Scene
A quiet afternoon drive on Highway 1 took a shocking turn when motorists spotted a Tesla moving along the road with its driver apparently asleep.
The incident happened on Aug. 11, shortly before 3:30 p.m., near Mountain Highway in North Vancouver.
Two witnesses noticed the driver and alerted police. A passenger also recorded video of the scene.
The footage showed a woman behind the wheel of a white Tesla with her eyes closed.
Police Track Down the Driver
The video gave BC Highway Patrol officers an important lead.
Police used the vehicle details and the witnesses’ account to identify the Tesla’s owner. Officers then located the registered owner at her home in Maple Ridge.
The woman, 45, matched the description of the driver seen in the video.
As a result, she received a $368 ticket for driving without due care and attention under B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act.
Self-Driving Technology Is No Free Pass
The case also raises a bigger question about how drivers use modern vehicle technology.
Tesla vehicles can offer advanced driver-assistance features. However, that does not mean motorists can sleep while the vehicle is moving.
BC Highway Patrol made that point clear.
Police said they would not debate the merits of self-driving technology with someone who is asleep behind the wheel. Drivers must remain awake, alert and ready to respond.
That rule matters even when a vehicle can handle some driving tasks on its own.
Police Issue a Safety Reminder
Driver inattention remains a serious road safety concern, police said.
A driver who looks away from the road for even a short time may miss a sudden hazard. On a busy highway, that can have serious results.
So, while vehicle technology keeps advancing, the basic rule has not changed: the person in the driver’s seat must stay focused.
For B.C. motorists, the message is simple. Do not sleep behind the wheel, even when your vehicle has advanced driving features.
