While it may seem obvious to some, apparently others may need a bit of a reminder: if you are behind the wheel in a moving vehicle, stay awake.
The BC RCMP says self-driving technology is evolving so rapidly that some drivers don’t think they need to keep their eyes on the road at all times.
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with the BC Highway Patrol says distracted driving has always been an issue in the province, but self-driving technology is a “new wrinkle.”
He says more vehicles are coming equipped with self-driving features, but many are not permitted to be used in B.C.
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“There are some levels of automation allowed, but the full self-driving technology is illegal in this province,” he said.
“We’re allowed to use up to and including self-drive Level 2. That’s what the Canadian government calls it. What that means is you can use things like adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and some braking and accelerating technologies. But you must have your eyes on the road. You must have at least one hand on the wheel. You must be in control at all times.”
This warning comes after a video was posted online, purportedly taken on a B.C. highway over the weekend, appearing to show a woman asleep at the wheel of a Tesla with two children in the car. The details and authenticity of the video have not been confirmed.
McLaughlan has no information about that particular incident, but he says the bottom line is, irrespective of the level of your vehicle’s automation, “you definitely have to be awake when you’re behind the wheel.”
In a separate incident in March, police in Metro Vancouver felt compelled to remind drivers to pay attention after ticketing a woman who “appeared to be literally asleep at the wheel” on Highway 1 during the morning rush hour in Coquitlam.
CityNews has reached out to the RCMP for more information about the latest video posted online.