US transport authority launches investigation into Tesla software

The US government officially opens an investigation into the gaming systems on board Tesla cars, and drivers would be able to play gaming fairly easily while driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) called Tesla on the question about the game system earlier this month. For a long time, it was only possible to play in a Tesla if it was stationary.

However, in early December, The New York Times discovered that the games are now available while driving. This causes potentially dangerous situations on the road.
Since 2020

The NHTSA is also concerned about this, writes the government agency in a document that has been online since today. The ‘Passenger Play’ function would already be adapted in December 2020 to allow a passenger to play while driving.

The passenger will be shown a screen saying that you can only use the function if you are not the driver. However, it is very easy to click through.

NHTSA will now investigate” aspects of the function”, including how often Passenger Play is actually used, and in what kind of circumstances.

The investigation does not respond to The New York Times article: a consumer appears to have filed a complaint in August this year.

“Tesla now makes it possible to play interactive games and perform live internet searches on the display at the driver’s seat while you’re driving,” writes the consumer. “NHTSA should prohibit a moving car from offering live video and web browser functions on the driver’s screen.”

The features are included in Tesla cars that have been on the market since 2017, totaling some 580,000 units. NHTSA is investigating Tesla Model 3, S, X and Y, reports the government agency.