A Tesla driver in British Columbia has been ticketed after being spotted allegedly reading documents while their Model Y had Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged.
The incident took place in West Kelowna, where RCMP officers stopped the driver of a Model Y on July 15 after spotting the vehicle travelling southbound on Highway 97 with the driver reading documents and both hands off the steering wheel.
Police issued the driver two violation tickets – one for Driving Without Due Care and Attention and another for Driving With Controls Obstructed.
“Regardless of the technology available in a vehicle, drivers are responsible for maintaining control and remaining attentive at all times,” said Const. Ash Puri in a press release.
This is not the only distracted driving ticket handed out to B.C. Tesla drivers this year. Back in March, BC Highway Patrol ticketed a Tesla driver after an officer observed what appeared to be the driver sleeping while travelling on Highway 1 in Coquitlam. That driver later claimed they had simply “zoned out,” but police said dashcam footage did not support that explanation.
More tickets could also be coming to another B.C. driver was caught on video allegedly asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla on FSD. That incident is still under RCMP investigation.
Al of these serve as a good reminder that Autopilot and FSD are classified as Level 2 driver-assistance technologies, meaning the driver must remain attentive and ready to take control at all times. Drivers are legally responsible for the operation of their vehicles, regardless of what assistance features may be active.
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