Tesla probed over allowing drivers to play games while driving
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Following a complaint to the NHTSA by a Tesla owner, the agency opens a probe into Tesla.
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Several Tesla models give users the ability to play video games while driving
US federal traffic safety inspectors said Wednesday they have opened investigations against Tesla models that allowed a game to be played during driving, which could cause distractions and increase the chances of a crash.
Tesla, an electric car company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has four models, namely Model 3, S, X, and Y from 2017-2022, that have a "Passenger Play" functionality, which "may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement.
Before an update in December 2020, passengers could only play games when the vehicles were in park mode, the NHTSA's Office of Defects said in its preliminary evaluation.
According to the agency, the evaluation would determine the level of driver distraction potential from the game when drivers are operating the vehicle. The agency will also attempt to discover the frequency and use scenarios of the game.
Reportedly, a complaint filed by a Tesla owner led to the NHTSA investigation into the matter. He filed the complaint upon discovering from a YouTube video he could play video games on his car's touchscreen while driving.
Vince Patton, the Tesla owner, voiced concern over drivers playing with this feature while operating their vehicles on the road, rendering them dangerously distracted.
"Somebody's going to get killed. It's absolutely insane," he said.
Tesla did not immediately respond to media queries about the probe.
