Tesla Driver Sleeps at Wheel, Highlighting BC's Autonomous Vehicle Ban

0:00It's March 25th. You're listening to Vancouver News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. A driver in a Tesla was caught asleep at the wheel on Highway 1 in Coquitlam during rainy rush hour traffic, leading British Columbia Highway Patrol to warn that even advanced cars needed intensive drivers. Fully autonomous vehicles, those at level 3 or higher on the standard scale, are banned in the province under recent motor vehicle act changes. That took effect in April 2024. Penalties for violations can hit up to $2,000 or even 6 months in jail. Meanwhile, California Company Waymo, which runs driverless taxi services, has been meeting with provincial officials to push for regulatory changes. That would let them operate here. While level 1 and 2 drivers, cis like lane keeping are common and legal, true hands-off driving isn't allowed without special federal approval, which Waymo lacks so far. This point out confusion from terms like autopilot, which overstate what most cars can do,

1:03and note that human error causes most crashes. So, automation could boost safety in routine spots. Still, the tech falters in rain, construction, or surprises, as seen in Waymo incidents like ignoring school buses. Transit advocates worry robot taxes could worsen congestion since they skip driver pay, leading to more circling empty vehicles on roads. They call for fees to fund public transit and keep balance. British Columbia's transportation ministry is watching tech progress elsewhere, but isn't planning pilots yet, favoring a slow rollout in control. Test to build public trust safely.