Unsold 2026 Tesla Model Y utility vehicles sit in a holding lot Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in northeast Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

B.C. woman fined for sleeping as Tesla drove on major highway

Sep 2, 2026 | 10:35 AM

NORTH VANCOUVER — A Metro Vancouver woman has been fined more than $300 after being caught on video asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla driving on a busy highway.

The BC Highway Patrol says the incident was reported on Aug. 11 around 3:30 p.m. on Highway 1 in North Vancouver.

Witnesses provided police with a video recording of the woman with her eyes closed behind the wheel of the white Tesla.

Police say they used the video to track down the vehicle’s owner in Maple Ridge, B.C., matching her appearance to the sleeping driver.

She was fined $368 for driving without due care.

Police are reminding B.C. motorists that despite the advent of self-driving technology, sleeping behind the wheel remains illegal in the province and drivers must be fully attentive and alert while driving.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 2, 2026.

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press