Tesla wants to ensure that the touchscreen on the dashboard of its vehicles can no longer be played while driving. The electric car manufacturer has assured the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reports the New York Times.
A software update this year brought over the air games to Tesla cars that can also be played while driving. Tesla only asked whether the person who played the game was not the driver. The shooting game Sky Force Reloaded, the card placement game Solitaire and the strategy game The Battle of Polytopia are available, among others.
The NHTSA initially expressed concern that games could distract drivers and increase the risk of accidents. This week the agency opened an investigation to “preliminarily assess” the gaming functionality. The investigation affects around 580,000 Tesla cars from model years 2017 to 2022.
Impossible update
Tesla now wants to change the game function known as “Passenger Play” with a future software update. After that, it should be impossible to play the games while the vehicle is moving.
In addition to the NHTSA, consumer advocates from the Center for Auto Safety also complained about the games. Its managing director Jason Levine said that even if only the passenger activates the games, there is no question that drivers will be distracted.
Paragraph 23 of the German road traffic regulations stipulates that a driver may only use an electronic device for communication, entertainment, information or organization purposes if the device is not picked up and held for this purpose. To use the device, drivers are only allowed to take their eyes off what is happening on the road and use a hands-free facility or a reading function. In many cars in Germany, for example, the television function is switched off when the ignition is switched on.
(anw)