It’s Time to Ban Tesla Drivers

The fact that cars like Teslas are not legal to use in ‘self-driving mode’ doesn’t seem to stop vehicle owners in Vancouver, where police pulled over and slapped a woman with a ticket for being ‘literally asleep’ at the wheel. The incident happened last Tuesday morning on Hwy 1 near Coquitlamm, BC. Highway Patrol pulled up next to the Tesla and noticed the driver with her eyes closed and arms crossed while the vehicle was speeding down the road, during the rainy rush hour.

Police had to honk, flash lights and finally sound their siren to get the woman’s attention. Once pulled over on the side of the road, she claimed she had just ‘zoned-out’ but was alert and still had her hands on the steering wheel. Footage from the police officer’s car-mounted camera called BS on that lie. The driver was fined over $500 for speeding and driving without care, but remains adamant she did nothing wrong.

This is an epidemic of stupidity, and the Canadian authorities need to strongly consider revoking the drivers license of any person caught in a Tesla using full self-driving mode. Better yet, revoke all licenses of Tesla drivers and just give them a bus pass. Anyone who wants a self-driving car is not a driver, so why let them control a vehicle? Why give them the responsibility which they clearly do not value it?

In the province of British Columbia, self-driving cars are prohibited, and even using features that cause a vehicle to operate as a Level 3 (SAE) or higher is against the law; exactly the kind of dodgy technology built into Teslas. For clarification, the SAE defines Level 0 as no automation, whereas Level 1 and Level 2 have driver-assisted technology that would commonly be found in a standard issue Subaru; emergency braking assist, lane departure warning, and the Eyesight system to help drivers in emergency situations. These systems are designed to save lives, not to let people take a nap or watch a show on streaming. A driver must always be focused on the road and ready to respond. Wanna nap? Take the subway!