A Tesla driver was recorded apparently asleep behind the wheel while traveling at roughly 100 km/h on British Columbia’s Trans-Canada Highway. The incident occurred on Sunday with two children in the vehicle. Tesla’s driver monitoring system did not intervene because the driver wore large sunglasses.
A witness named Carleigh filmed the Tesla on Highway 1 between Golden and Revelstoke. She described the driver as “fast asleep” and slumped to the side. Carleigh contacted Revelstoke RCMP, who confirmed they obtained the license plate and planned to locate the driver.
The event highlights limitations in Tesla’s cabin camera monitoring. The system, introduced with FSD v12.4, requires visible eyes and does not activate when sunglasses are worn. It then relies on steering wheel torque detection, which can be satisfied without confirming driver alertness.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving remains classified as a Level 2 system, placing full legal responsibility on the driver under B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act. The province bans higher automation levels on public roads.
