Maple Ridge woman ticketed for allegedly sleeping while driving Tesla on Highway 1

A 45-year-old Maple Ridge woman has received a ticket for allegedly sleeping while driving her Tesla on Highway 1, B.C. Highway Patrol says.

Video recorded by two witnesses Aug. 11 showed the vehicle travelling near Mountain Highway in North Vancouver, with the driver appearing to be asleep behind the wheel. The witnesses were in the same vehicle and a passenger recorded the video from the passenger seat, police said.

Based on the witnesses’ description and the video, B.C. Highway Patrol located the Tesla’s registered owner at her Maple Ridge home. Police said the witnesses are prepared to testify in court if necessary. The owner was ticketed for driving without due care and attention.

Police noted other recent cases, including a woman ticketed in March after appearing to be asleep at the wheel on Highway 1 in Coquitlam and another driver seen apparently asleep at the wheel of a self-driving vehicle in July.

Sgt. Michael McLaughlin said police will not debate self-driving technology with sleeping drivers. He said it is illegal in B.C. and that driver inattention is a major factor in serious and fatal collisions. Drivers must remain focused and alert while operating any motor vehicle, he said.