Sleeping Trans

Sleeping Trans-Canada Tesla drivers caught on video, fined $368

The use of full self-driving technology remains illegal in B.C.

The B.C. Highway Patrol (BCHP) is drawing attention to the hazards of people asleep at the wheel after two snoozing drivers in self-driving Teslas were caught on video as they travelled along the Trans-Canada Highway in the Lower Mainland.

"Police will not debate the merits of self-driving technology with sleeping drivers. It's illegal in B.C., and we're here to enforce the law and keep roads safe," said BCHP Sgt. Michael McLaughlin.

The BCHP says an officer passed a sleeping driver in a dark-coloured Tesla on Aug. 27 as it sped down the Trans-Canada Highway through Langley.

McLaughlin said the officer had to prioritize the Tesla driver over the call he was supposed to attend after observing the man had his eyes closed and wasn't holding the steering wheel.

Nap on your couch? Sounds like a plan.
Sleep in your car? That’s a $368 dollar ticket.
A Langley driver is the latest person in BC to put others at risk by sleeping in heavy traffic.https://t.co/1Ob6KvJtlf pic.twitter.com/UUE51Ek6pA

The man was fined $368 for driving without due care and attention and $81 for failing to produce a driver's licence.

Where B.C. stands on self-driving cars and what recent incidents reveal about safety, rules

B.C. bans self-driving vehicles on its roads

"The potential for serious injury or death is too high. If you're sleeping, you're forcing us to pull you over, and that means we're going to leave you with financial consequences," McLaughlin said.

Police say a different Tesla driver was handed a similar $368 fine after she was caught on video asleep at the wheel on the Trans-Canada in North Vancouver on Aug. 11.

We’re not here to debate the technology.
On August 11, Highway #1 in North Vancouver, this woman was ticketed $368. Two witnesses agreed to testify in court.
The law requires that you are fully alert and focused on driving.https://t.co/uCSTBjOmeG pic.twitter.com/eLa2gb04My

The video was taken by a passenger in another car and shared with police.

The B.C. Highway Patrol said it was able to identify the driver as a Maple Ridge resident and registered owner of the Tesla.

Viral video appears to show woman asleep behind the wheel on busy B.C. highway

In July, video appearing to show a sleeping Tesla driver on the busy Trans-Canada Highway near Revelstoke went viral.

Drivers playing video games, watching movies

Fred Lambert, editor-in-chief at Electrek.co, said Tesla's driver monitoring system, which is supposed to ensure a driver doesn't fall asleep, can easily be bypassed.

Lambert says as self-driving technology evolves, some drivers are becoming complacent.

"We're entering a weird time right now when it comes to these advanced driver-assist systems," he said.

"I've seen people posting video of themselves playing video games in the driver's seat, I've seen people watching movies. People don't realize this is extremely dangerous and also purely illegal."

B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Act prohibits the use of highly automated self-driving vehicles on public roads, although lesser automated features like lane change assist or automatic braking are allowed.

The Ministry of Transportation website says highly automated self-driving vehicles are a new and emerging technology that require further testing and policy development.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia told CBC News that drivers must be alert, engaged and in control of their vehicle at all times.

"You are responsible for the operation of the vehicle, including when a driver-assistance feature is activated. If a vehicle is operating using the driverless feature, there could be insurance consequences for the driver."

Karin Larsen is a former Olympian and award-winning sports broadcaster who covers news and sports for CBC Vancouver.

With files from Caroline Barghout,Cory Correia