B.C. woman fined for sleeping while Tesla drove on Autopilot
A 45-year-old woman from Maple Ridge, British Columbia was fined $368 and received six penalty points after witnesses caught her sleeping behind the wheel of a Tesla operating on Autopilot on Highway 1 in August 2026. Police issued a ticket for driving without due care and attention, stating that relying on self-driving technology while asleep is illegal and dangerous.
What happened
On August 11, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a 45-year-old woman from Maple Ridge was observed apparently sleeping behind the wheel of a white Tesla on Highway 1 near Mountain Highway in North Vancouver. Two witnesses in a neighboring vehicle recorded video of the Tesla rolling forward in traffic with the driver appearing unconscious, and reported the incident to police.
Reported impact
B.C. Highway Patrol stated that driver inattention is a major factor in serious and deadly collisions, and emphasized the safety risk of operating a vehicle while asleep.
Index analysis
The incident represents a case where a driver relied on vehicle automation technology while unable to monitor the road or take control if necessary.
Governance controls
B.C. Highway Patrol issued the woman a ticket for driving without due care and attention under the Motor Vehicle Act, resulting in a $368 fine and six penalty points. A police sergeant stated, '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.'
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.