Video of a woman apparently asleep behind the wheel of a self-driving Tesla on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge is just the kind of thing Richmond Mounties don’t want to see as they crack down on distracted drivers over the next month.
A 21-year-old Lower Mainland woman was issued a $368-ticket for driving without due care and attention, after she was caught on video apparently asleep behind the wheel as she crossed the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge in a Tesla Thursday afternoon.
A passenger in a vehicle driving next to the Tesla managed to film the apparently-sleeping driver, which he later posted to Instagram under the handle @barneee750.
In Richmond, Mounties and ICBC kicked off a month-long pedestrian safety and distracted driving campaign on Wednesday.
The campaign will focus on education on pedestrian safety as well as targeted enforcement around distracted driving.
So far this year, Richmond RCMP have investigated 28 collisions involving pedestrians, while in 2020 Mounties investigated 38 collisions involving pedestrians and three pedestrian fatalities.
“Having to tell a family their loved one won’t be coming home takes its toll on our officers,” said Cpl. Adriana O’Malley, Richmond RCMP spokesperson. “We hope that by educating both pedestrians and drivers about proactive measures they can take, we can prevent a pedestrian from being seriously injured or killed.”
Between mid-October and November, Richmond Mounties from the Community Engagement Team, along with Richmond RCMP volunteers, will be handing out reflectors to pedestrians as a reminder to “be seen, be safe.”
“When driving, focus on the road, leave your phone alone and be ready to yield to pedestrians – especially at intersections. When walking, always use designated crosswalks, make eye contact with drivers and try to be as reflective as possible,” said Harvey Kooner, local ICBC road safety coordinator.
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old Lower Mainland woman was issued a $368-ticket for driving without due care and attention, after she was caught on video apparently asleep behind the wheel as she crossed the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge in a Tesla Thursday afternoon.
North Vancouver RCMP officers later reviewed the video, captured by a passenger in the car driving alongside the woman’s Tesla, spoke to the driver and issued the ticket.
She’ll also have six points added to her driver’s licence.
Mounties in North Vancouver said they have limited information, apart from the brief video clip, about how the woman came to be asleep behind the wheel or whether anyone was in danger during the time the driver nodded off.
Tesla’s autopilot system uses cameras and algorithms to detect nearby objects such as other vehicles and cyclists, to maintain a safe distance between the car and other vehicles.
Another feature uses cameras to detect marked lines on the road to keep the vehicle within its lane.
Const. Kelly McIntyre, North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson, said the message is “no matter what features your car has, you need to pay attention.
- With files from Jane Seyd, North Shore News
