The B.C. Highway Patrol (BCHP) is raising awareness about the dangers of drivers falling asleep at the wheel, following incidents where two individuals were caught on camera snoozing in their self-driving Teslas on the Trans-Canada Highway in the Lower Mainland.
Sgt. Michael McLaughlin of BCHP emphasized that it is against the law in B.C. to operate a vehicle while asleep, and law enforcement’s priority is to uphold regulations and ensure road safety.
One of the sleeping drivers, identified in a dark Tesla on August 27 in Langley, was fined $368 for driving recklessly and an additional $81 for not having a driver’s license present.
McLaughlin stressed the severe risks involved in such behavior, noting that sleeping drivers will face financial penalties and potential harm to themselves and others.
In another incident, a different Tesla driver received a $368 fine after being caught sleeping behind the wheel on the Trans-Canada Highway in North Vancouver on August 11. The driver was identified as a Maple Ridge resident and the registered owner of the Tesla through video evidence provided to the authorities.
The BCHP has been actively addressing these issues, as demonstrated by previous viral videos showing similar incidents on the Trans-Canada Highway near Revelstoke in July.
According to Fred Lambert, editor-in-chief at Electrek.co, there are concerns about the misuse of Tesla’s driver monitoring system, allowing some drivers to engage in risky behaviors while relying on automated features.
While B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act prohibits highly automated self-driving vehicles on public roads, certain automated functions like lane change assist and automatic braking are permitted. The Ministry of Transportation acknowledges the need for further testing and policy development regarding advanced self-driving technologies.
