British Columbia: autonomous vehicles banned until further notice

British Columbia has adopted a series of amendments to its Motor Vehicle Act to better protect vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists) and promote active transportation. The amendments came into force on April 5.

In particular, Level 3, 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles are banned from the province's roads until the government decides to authorize them at the end of a pilot project.

To be clear, no such vehicles are yet available on the Canadian market. Models with automated driving systems currently in operation are said to be Level 1 or 2, meaning that the driver must keep his or her attention on the road at all times and remain ready to regain control. This includes Tesla's Autopilot system, even with the so-called "fully automatic driving capability" as a $16,000 option.

Under the Act, anyone driving a Level 3, 4 or 5 autonomous vehicle or using Level 3, 4 or 5 autonomous driving functions is liable to a $368 fine and three demerit points. The fine can go as high as $2,000 and six months' imprisonment.

"Highly automated self-driving vehicles remain a new emerging technology. Further testing and a more elaborate legislative framework are required before Level 3 or higher autonomous vehicles are considered safe and can be allowed on public roads in British Columbia," reads the text.

Driverless autonomous vehicles are currently authorized in certain areas of California and Nevada, such as the Waymo cabs that The Car Guide tested in San Francisco last November (photo above). Incidents caused by other such cars from the Cruise company, including collisions with vehicles and pedestrians, as well as blocked streets, have however forced the Californian authorities to suspend its operating permit until further notice.