Earlier this month, changes to B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Act quietly went into effect to prohibit the purchase, import, or drive of fully autonomous vehicles.
Anyone driving a fully autonomous vehicle in B.C. today faces fines of up to $2,000 and six months in prison.
According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the new regulations restrict driving Level 3 or higher autonomous vehicles and prohibit the use of features that would allow the vehicle to operate as a Level 3 or higher autonomous vehicle.
According to the association's rating from 0 to 5, drivers cannot drive a car with a level 3 or higher degree of automation, even if they are in the driver's seat.
Transport Minister Rob Fleming said in a statement announcing the new regulations: "These new regulations will make people safer on the roads. ”
According to SAE, Level 0 does not have autonomous driving features, while Level 1 and Level 2 have driver assistance technologies that are popular in many new vehicles, such as automatic braking and lane assist.
But drivers can't take a nap or watch the latest episode of their favorite TV series. Levels 0-2 require drivers to focus on the road and be prepared to react when necessary.
At the same time, level 3-5 automation does not require a person to drive the car at all.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation said in a statement: "Drivers and manufacturers should comply with this law, including maintaining due care and attention at all times while driving. ”
Transport Canada says self-driving cars use sensors, controllers, on-board computers, and software to drive cars independently.
In British Columbia, anyone driving a fully autonomous vehicle can face a fine of up to $2,000 and six months in prison.
Opinions on automation are mixed
In fact, the new rules won't have much impact on local roads, as Transport Canada still doesn't allow the purchase of self-driving cars in Canada at this time.
It oversees the safety of new and imported vehicles, which includes autonomous driving systems, adding that companies "must demonstrate that the vehicle or vehicle equipment complies with all existing safety regulations and standards." ”
Bob Porter, president of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association, said his members' enthusiasm for automation was divided.
"A lot of people have embraced it, but I think it's going to be a slow and gradual experience [for others]," he said. ”
Porter, who has tested Level 2 autopilot, admits that giving up control of the steering wheel can be a scary feeling.
Overall, he said he supported the province's decision to ban fully automated cars, adding that public safety was paramount.
However, he said he believes it is only a matter of time before technology advances and self-driving cars hit the road.
The "self-driving" feature is highly controversial
For many, self-driving cars are synonymous with car brands such as Tesla, whose cars are equipped with "self-driving" features.
Tesla's Autopilot includes features such as traffic-aware cruise control and automatic steering, which can match the speed of surrounding traffic and drive within marked lanes. However, it is only classified as Level 2 automation, which is Level 2.
Tesla's self-driving feature has also sparked a lot of controversy. The company recently settled a lawsuit alleging the death of a Tesla engineer after a self-driving feature caused his Model X to steer to a highway guardrail.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened investigations into more than 40 accidents involving Tesla's self-driving system, which have resulted in 23 deaths.
At the moment, it is unclear when driverless cars will be popular in B.C. and Canada.
The province said further testing and policy development was necessary "before Level 3 or higher autonomous vehicles are deemed safe."
Although these are currently prohibited, B.C. says it may allow it in the future, either through provincial regulations or through pilot projects.