The NHTSA Is Looking Into Tesla As Drivers Can Play Video Games While Driving

An estimated 580,000 Tesla vehicles are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) because of accusations that video games may be played on the front information screen while the car is in motion.

Tesla Model X, S, Y, and 3 cars with a feature dubbed "Passenger Play" are part of the investigation. The concern, according to the NHTSA, is that Tesla allows gameplay to function on the front center touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion, which might cause driving distraction.

 According to the NHTSA, vehicles equipped with "Passenger Play" have had the capability from December 2020. It was previously only possible to play while the vehicle was in Park, according to the report. However, the feature garnered prominence earlier this month when it was found that the sole precaution against drivers playing games while driving was a popup that required the player to accept that only passengers should play while the car was in operation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expressed interest in the reports in the middle of the month, and it has already begun its preliminary assessment. The regulator states: "Through this [Preliminary Evaluation], ODI will evaluate aspects of the feature, including the frequency and use scenarios of Tesla Passenger Play."