‘Mind-blowing’: Video reportedly shows driver asleep in self-driving Tesla on B.C. highway

A startling video captured a driver appearing to be asleep while behind the wheel of a Tesla on a busy stretch of Highway 1 in British Columbia. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon between Golden and Revelstoke, as Carleigh King and her family were traveling from Alberta.

King described pulling over to help her son when she noticed the Tesla. "I looked… I did a double, triple, quadruple take. I didn’t understand what I was seeing, and I said to my husband, ‘I think that lady is asleep’," she told Global News. Her husband confirmed the driver was "definitely asleep at the wheel." The vehicle also contained two children.

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I looked… I did a double, triple, quadruple take. I didn’t understand what I was seeing, and I said to my husband, ‘I think that lady is asleep’

Concerned for safety on the busy highway, which features numerous construction zones, wildlife, and unpredictable drivers, King's family immediately contacted Revelstoke RCMP. "The Trans Canada is an incredibly busy stretch of highway... So to see somebody fast asleep at the wheel with children in the car was absolutely mind-blowing," King added.

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Just because your vehicle comes with some fancy electronic intervention and automation doesn’t mean you can actually use it on our roads.

Cpl. Michael McLaughlin of the B.C. Highway Patrol emphasized that while vehicles may have advanced automation features, drivers must remain in control. "In British Columbia, you’re allowed up to level two intervention. These are common things like adaptive cruise control, lane assist, some braking and acceleration. You cannot do a full self-driving mode in British Columbia. You have to be awake, alert, in control, a hand on the wheel, feet near or on the pedals at all times," he stated.

Drivers found asleep at the wheel could face charges such as driving without consideration, carrying a penalty of approximately $196, or driving without due care and attention, costing nearly $400 per ticket. Both offenses also result in penalty points on a driver's license. "This is something we take seriously," McLaughlin said.

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You have to be awake, alert, in control, a hand on the wheel, feet near or on the pedals at all times.