A disturbing video has surfaced online, showing a woman apparently asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla Model Y traveling at approximately 100 km/h on the Trans-Canada Highway between Golden and Revelstoke in British Columbia. The incident, captured by fellow motorist Carleigh King on Sunday afternoon, has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of Tesla’s driver monitoring system and the responsibilities of drivers using autonomous driving features.
The video, which quickly went viral, shows the woman with her head slumped over, eyes closed, and hands off the steering wheel. What makes the situation even more alarming is the presence of two children in the back seats, reportedly asleep as well. This incident is not an isolated case, as similar occurrences have been reported in the past, raising questions about the safety of relying on autonomous driving technologies.
The Role of Sunglasses and Accessories in Bypassing Monitoring Systems
The Tesla in question is likely equipped with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) package, which includes a driver-monitoring system. This system uses an in-car camera to track the driver’s eye movements and torque sensors in the steering wheel to detect alertness. However, the camera system can be easily fooled by wearing sunglasses, as seen in this incident.
Fred Lambert, editor in chief at Electrek explained that the driver’s use of sunglasses likely played a significant role in bypassing the monitoring system. “This driver is using sunglasses… so that’s definitely part of the equation,” Lambert said. He also noted that the driver appeared to have an accessory around the wheel, which could potentially interfere with the torque sensors.
Lambert emphasized that while autonomous driving technology is advancing rapidly, drivers must remain vigilant. “You see it being so good that you get overconfident… but the data that we’re seeing right now still points to a critical incident every 4,000-5,000 miles a year,” he stated. This highlights the importance of staying alert, even when using advanced driver-assistance systems.
Legal Consequences and Safety Concerns
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin from the B.C. Highway Patrol indicated that the driver could face serious charges for her careless behavior. “Anything from a simple violation ticket all the way up to criminal charges for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle,” he said. Additionally, there could be criminal charges related to negligence if the children in the vehicle were put at risk.
Kyla Lee, a lawyer at Acumen Law in Vancouver, echoed these sentiments. “There could also potentially be criminal charges related to negligence if there are children in the vehicle and those children are put at risk by the driver not supervising as the vehicle is traveling down the highway,” she explained. This incident underscores the legal and safety implications of misusing autonomous driving features.
The Society of Automative Engineers classifies vehicle automation into six levels, ranging from 0 to 5. British Columbia currently permits only up to Level 2 driver assistance, which includes features like lane departure warnings and automatic braking. Full Self-Driving, which is not legal to use in the province, requires constant driver supervision.
Cpl. McLaughlin emphasized the importance of staying alert and focused while driving. “You must always be alert, sober, fully-focused on the road, at least one hand on the steering wheel… It is not legal to rely on full self-driving technologies in British Columbia,” he stated. “You can’t let the robot drive your car for you.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of relying too heavily on autonomous driving technologies. While these systems can enhance safety, they are not foolproof and require constant vigilance from drivers. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for drivers to stay informed and responsible, ensuring the safety of themselves and their passengers.
