BC man charged after allegedly sleeping behind the wheel of a Tesla while speeding

A BC man is facing dangerous driving charges after police said he was sleeping behind the wheel of a Tesla while speeding.

The Alberta RCMP said that the driver was pulled over for speeding on Hwy 2 near Ponoka after police received a complaint.

The car was a Tesla, and appeared to be self-driving while travelling at 140 km/hr.

Police added that when emergency lights were activated, the Tesla accelerated up to 150 km/h.

Both front seats were completely reclined and the occupants appeared to be asleep, said police.

The driver sat up and pulled over the car and was charged with speeding — and after consultation with the Crown the dangerous driving charge was added.

"Although manufacturers of new vehicles have built in safeguards to prevent drivers from taking advantage of the new safety systems in vehicles, those systems are just that — supplemental safety systems," says Superintendent Gary Graham of Alberta RCMP Traffic Services. "They are not self-driving systems, they still come with the responsibility of driving."

The driver is set to appear in court in December.