A Tesla driver was recorded apparently asleep behind the wheel while traveling at around 100 km/h (~62 mph) on British Columbia’s Trans-Canada Highway, with two children also asleep in the vehicle. The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of Tesla’s driver monitoring system, especially as the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software becomes more advanced. This case exposes a critical vulnerability in how Tesla’s monitoring works—and how easily it can be bypassed.
Incident on the Trans-Canada Highway
The event occurred on a Sunday between Golden and Revelstoke, British Columbia, when a family noticed a Tesla traveling at about 100 km/h (~62 mph) with the driver visibly slumped and apparently asleep. The witness, identified as Carleigh, reported that two children in the car were also asleep. Carleigh recorded the incident and contacted the Revelstoke RCMP, who confirmed they had the vehicle’s license plate and would follow up with the driver.
Legal and Regulatory Context
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system is classified as Level 2 automation, meaning the driver must remain attentive and responsible at all times. While FSD is available in Canada, British Columbia’s Motor Vehicle Act prohibits the use of Level 3, 4, or 5 automated vehicles on public roads. Falling asleep while using FSD is not only dangerous but also illegal in the province.
How Tesla’s Driver Monitoring Was Defeated
Tesla’s primary driver monitoring system, introduced with FSD v12.4, relies on a cabin camera above the rearview mirror to track the driver’s face and eyes. However, according to Tesla’s owner’s manual, this vision-based monitoring is disabled if the camera is covered, lighting is poor, or if the driver is wearing sunglasses or a hat that obscures their eyes. In this incident, the driver was wearing large sunglasses, preventing the system from confirming alertness.
When the camera cannot verify attention, Tesla’s system reverts to the older steering-wheel ‘nag,’ which only checks for torque applied to the wheel. This method is less effective, as it cannot determine if the driver is awake or watching the road. Tesla also has a Driver Drowsiness Warning feature that uses the cabin camera to detect signs of fatigue, but it too is ineffective if the driver’s eyes are hidden.
A System Easy to Bypass
Reports from China have shown that some Tesla drivers intentionally defeat the cabin camera by mounting inexpensive plastic doll heads near the mirror, tricking the system into thinking a driver is attentive. The use of sunglasses, as seen in this Canadian incident, can unintentionally have the same effect. These vulnerabilities highlight that Tesla’s monitoring is more effective at keeping honest drivers honest than preventing determined or inattentive drivers from misusing the system.
Competitor Comparison
Tesla’s approach to driver monitoring stands in contrast to competitors like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which is introducing next-generation advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in 2026 with enhanced driver monitoring capabilities. The BMW i7 also features advanced driver aids designed to ensure driver engagement and safety. Both models target the premium segment and are expected to offer more robust safeguards against inattentive driving.
Why this matters
As Tesla’s FSD software becomes more capable, the temptation for drivers to over-rely on automation increases. This incident demonstrates that current monitoring systems can be easily bypassed, posing risks not only to occupants but to other road users. The gap between Tesla’s marketing of FSD and the legal requirement for driver attention is a critical issue, especially as incidents like this continue to occur.
With prior year sales in Canada dropping 63.5% year-over-year to 55,000 vehicles, partly due to the end of EV subsidies and price increases, maintaining public trust in the safety of advanced driver assistance systems is more important than ever.
What this means for buyers
Potential Tesla buyers should be aware that, despite the advanced features of FSD, the driver remains legally responsible at all times. Sunglasses or other accessories can unintentionally disable key safety features. Shoppers comparing Tesla to alternatives like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW i7 should consider the robustness of driver monitoring systems as a critical factor, especially if planning to use hands-off driving features.
Related coverage from The Electric Viking
For more on Tesla safety and automation, see these recent articles from The Electric Viking:
Tesla Semi Involved in First Fatal Crash in Nevada, Raising Safety Questions
Tesla Driver Claims Autopilot Was Active Before Fatal Texas Home Crash
BYD Receives Positive Outlook from China’s Largest Investment Bank
Key Specs
- Incident Speed: 100 km/h (~62 mph)
- Monitoring System: Cabin camera (disabled by sunglasses), fallback to steering-wheel torque detection
- Legal Automation Level: Level 2 (driver responsible at all times in B.C.)
- Driver Drowsiness Warning: Uses cabin camera for eye closure, blink duration, yawning, head position (defeated by sunglasses)
- Tesla FSD Version: v12.4 (monitoring update), 2025.32.3 (drowsiness response update)
Source
Images sourced from: electrek.co, autoevolution.com, driveteslacanada.ca
