A Vancouver area Tesla driver is facing fines after police say she appeared to be asleep behind the wheel of her new Model Y while travelling along Highway 1 during the morning commute.
According to a statement from B.C. RCMP Highway Patrol, the incident occurred on March 17 at approximately 8:30 a.m. in Coquitlam. An officer driving alongside the vehicle observed the driver with her eyes closed and her arms crossed as the car continued eastbound in wet, slippery conditions.
“The driver appeared to be literally asleep at the wheel,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “The driver said that she had ‘zoned out’ but was fully alert with her hands on the steering wheel. In-car police video did not support the driver’s claim.”
Police say the driver, a 37-year-old woman from Metro Vancouver, was subsequently pulled over and issued two tickets. The first was for driving without due care and attention under section 144(1)(a) of the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act, carrying a $368 fine.
The second was for speeding against a highway sign under section 146(3), resulting in an additional $138 penalty.
While the make of the vehicle was not explicitly identified in the official press release, the image included with it shows it was a new Tesla Model Y Juniper. The incident has prompted the RCMP to once again warn drivers about remaining attentive and to know the limits of vehicle automation in British Columbia.
Despite the branding, these systems are classified as Level 2 and do not enable full autonomy. Drivers are required to remain attentive at all times. Level 3 autonomous vehicles are not currently permitted on public roads in British Columbia.
“It’s true that some electric vehicles have self-driving mode, but those systems are not legal to use in BC,” says Corporal McLaughlin. “You need to be fully awake, alert, focused, and in control of your vehicle at all times.”
