Driverless Tesla coasting along mall parking lot raises questions, causes confusion

Video of a driverless Tesla moving at a brisk walking pace at a mall parking lot in Richmond, B.C. sometimes in the wrong laneraises questions aboutwhat is and isn't legalwhen regulations don't come close to capturingtheadvances or potential dangers ofself-driving vehicles.

According to astory originally published Monday bythe Richmond News, the carwas likely activated withTesla's Smart Summon, which rolled out in Canada on Oct.11.

The mobile app feature allows a Teslaowner totrigger the vehicle to driveautonomously to their locationwithina 60-metreradius.

Vancouver lawyer Paul Doroshenkosaid there are no laws against what he saw in the videoand doesn't know what charges would apply if the driverless car ran over someone.

Watch as Tesla car drives itself atthe parking lot

"I keep thinking that it's driving without due care and attention," he said. "But are you driving?And how do you prove who the driver is then? And if you pre-program it to do something, are you the driver?"

Doroshenko said there areno regulations to stop Tesla from releasing the Smart Summon software in British Columbia.

Adding to the confusion is astatement from the province's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, which saiddriverless vehicles are bannedon provincial roads, despite the growing number of autonomous-capable Teslasbeing sold in B.C.

"Autonomous and driverless vehicles are not currently permitted on B.C. highways, as reflected by federal regulations. These cars do not currently qualify for insurance, and driving an uninsured vehicle on a highway or roadway is one reason these vehicles are not permitted on B.C. roadways," readthe statement.

It goes on to say that "law enforcement is responsible for enforcing these regulations."

A statement from theInsurance Corporation of British Columbia(ICBC) said the driverless car in the Richmond parking lot is "not allowed," even though a search of current ICBCregulations doesn't bring up any specific rules aboutthe operation or registration of a vehicle that is capable of autonomous operation.

"The driver is responsible for the operation of the vehicle, including when driver assistance is activated,' said ICBC. "In the recent incident in Richmond, thankfully, there was no accident. Had an accident occurred, the vehicle owner's insurance may not have provided coverage."

Both the ministry and ICBC saidthey are "actively monitoring" the development of autonomous vehicles.

The Ministry of Transportation saidit has established a working group to look into the insurance, policy and regulatory implications related to autonomous vehicle operation in B.C.

At thetime of publication, Tesla Canada had not responded to a request for an interview.