Tesla has finally given in to the pressure that it faced from the US auto safety regulations, the automaker has agreed to stop letting drivers play video games on the center touch screen in its vehicles while they are driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the company will send out a software update over the internet. After this update, the ‘Passenger Play’ function will be locked and it will not work while the cars are in motion.
The move comes just a day after the agency announced it would open a formal investigation into distracted driving concerns about Tesla’s video games, which could be played while the cars are being driven.
The investigation had found that the feature called ‘Passenger Play’ has been available to drivers since December 202 where games appear on the entertainment center in the center of the dashboard.
While the name hints that the feature is meant to be played by passengers, nothing prevents the drivers from playing while the car is being driven.
Previously, this feature was enabled only when the vehicle was parked, the NHTSA investigation document said. NHTSA says that even if the game is being played by a passenger and not the driver, it “may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.”
While Tesla has bowed down to the pressure this time, this is not the end of troubles for the company from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The NHTSA is currently investigating Tesla for at least 11 accidents involving cars using its Autopilot or other self-driving features. Those 11 accidents were responsible for 17 injuries and one death, as per the agency.
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