The US NHTSA opens an investigation to evaluate the driver distraction potential of Tesla's Passenger Play gaming feature, covering 580K cars from 2017 to 2022
NHTSA begins evaluating whether Passenger Play can distract drivers across the covered Tesla vehicles, placing the feature under federal safety scrutiny.
Tesla is pushed toward an operational restriction; the subsequent software update blocks the game feature when a vehicle is in motion.
Second-order effects
Tesla's in-car software design now faces scrutiny on two fronts in the coverage—driver-assistance behavior and driver attention—raising the compliance stakes for features available while driving.
Third-order effects
If NHTSA continues pairing investigations with software-based remedies, vehicle safety oversight will increasingly reach interface design and feature availability, not only mechanical defects.
The trend: Connected-car safety regulation is expanding toward software features that shape driver attention as well as automated-driving behavior.
We're pleased to see this @NHTSAgov safety investigation and want to remind all drivers to be alert and focused on the road when you're behind the wheel. #DistractedDriving @davidshepardson @nealboudette @tkrisher @DavidZipper @jraindc https://twitter.com/...
BREAKING: @NHTSAgov has launched a new safety investigation into Tesla, focused on infotainment touchscreens that let drivers play video games while the car is in motion. NHTSA says the feature “may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.” (No kidding!) https://twit…
This is so clearly dangerous & negligent behavior by @Tesla. Glad to see @NHTSAgov investigate. If this company doesn't know right from wrong, they shouldn't be putting cars on the street & endangering everyone in their paths. https://www.reuters.com/...
I don't know if they should be required to change it, but I understand concerns with this functionality. However, it seems crazy to me that AP published an entire article without explaining what the system does to prevent drivers from abusing it. https://apnews.com/...
“Patton, who loves his car and says he has nothing against Tesla, worries that drivers will play games and become dangerously distracted. 'Somebody's going to get killed,' he said. 'It's absolutely insane.'” https://apnews.com/...