Tesla owner files complaint to the feds: 'Somebody’s going to get killed'
Quote:
Vince Patton demonstrates on a closed course in Portland, Ore., how he can play video games while driving. Patton filed a complaint with federal regulators after discovering the feature in his new Tesla Model 3.
Vince Patton demonstrates on a closed course in Portland, Ore., how he can play video games while driving. Patton filed a complaint with federal regulators after discovering the feature in his new Tesla Model 3.
Quote:
DETROIT — Last August, Vince Patton was watching a YouTube video of a Tesla owner who had made a startling observation: Tesla drivers could now play a video game on their car's touch-screen dashboard — while the vehicle is moving.
Curious to see for himself, Patton drove his own 2021 Tesla Model 3 to an empty community college parking lot, activated a game called “Sky Force Reloaded” from a menu and did a few loops.
“I was just dumbfounded that, yes, sure enough, this sophisticated video game came up,” said Patton, a 59-year-old retired broadcast journalist who lives near Portland, Oregon.
He tried Solitaire, too, and was able to activate that game while driving. Later, he found he could browse the internet while his car was moving.
Patton, who loves his car and says he has nothing against Tesla, worries that drivers will play games and become dangerously distracted.
“Somebody’s going to get killed," he said. "It’s absolutely insane.”
Which is why early last month, Patton decided to file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the government's road safety agency.
“NHTSA needs to prohibit all live video in the front seat and all live interactive web browsing while the car is in motion,” Patton wrote in his complaint. “Creating a dangerous distraction for the driver is recklessly negligent.”
On Wednesday, NHTSA confirmed that it's looking into the matter. News of Patton’s complaint was first reported Tuesday by The New York Times.
“We are aware of driver concerns and are discussing the feature with the manufacturer,” a NHTSA spokeswoman wrote in an email. “The Vehicle Safety Act prohibits manufacturers from selling vehicles with design defects posing unreasonable risks to safety.”
The spokeswoman declined to provide further details of its conversations with Tesla. The agency has not opened a formal investigation, which would involve requests for documents and other detailed information. Tesla, which has disbanded its media relations department, did not respond to messages from The Associated Press.
NHTSA's inquiry marks the latest in a growing list of possible infractions involving advanced auto technology that are being reviewed by two federal agencies as potential safety risks.
The government is looking into Tesla's Autopilot partially automated driving system, as well as its “Full Self-Driving” software system, which is being tested by selected owners on public roads. In addition, as it increases scrutiny under President Joe Biden, NHTSA is investigating over-the-internet software updates that are intended to fix safety problems and Tesla battery fires.
In its statement, NHTSA said that it continues to research driving distractions and that it's issued voluntary guidelines for automakers to determine whether a particular task interferes with driver attention.
“If a task does not meet the acceptance criteria," the statement said, “the NHTSA guidelines recommend that the task be made inaccessible for performance by the driver while driving.”
The agency noted that crashes involving distracted drivers killed more than 3,100 people in 2019, representing about 9% of all U.S. traffic deaths. But safety experts contend that distracted driving crashes are undercounted.
It's unclear how long Tesla has allowed games to be played while vehicles are moving. But Patton said a software update that he noticed over the summer may have begun to allow “Sky Force Reloaded” to be used by drivers. The game, he noted, involves missiles and lasers that can be fired at objects.
Before the video games can be activated while the car is moving, drivers are asked whether they are passengers and must click a button saying they are. But Patton said there appears to be no way for Tesla to confirm that fact.
“If you're alone in the car," he said, a driver could lie and still be able to play while driving.
“That’s not much of a safety barrier," he said.
Even if only a passenger is playing the game, Patton said, it can still be distracting to the driver because the game takes up about two-thirds of the touch screen. This also makes it harder for the driver to see warnings and controls for windshield defrosters, he said.
Previously, Patton said, games could be played only while the vehicles were in park. Many drivers use them while waiting for batteries to be recharged at Tesla's Supercharger stations, he said.
Jason Levine, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said in an email that NHTSA has the authority to declare the vehicles defective and to seek a recall.
“There’s little question that having a large screen next to the driver on which the driver, or a passenger, can play a video game while the vehicle is moving is an unreasonable risk to safety,” Levine wrote. “NHTSA’s recent statements would suggest this feature has been in violation of both the spirit and letter of NHTSA’s driver distraction guidelines and the law.”
Tesla's Autopilot system has been misused by drivers in the past, who have thwarted its system for detecting hands on the wheel. In one case, a driver in California was arrested while riding in the back seat as the car rolled down a freeway.
After investigating two fatal crashes involving Autopilot, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that Tesla install a camera system to ensure that drivers were paying attention. The agency said in October that Tesla hasn't officially responded.
Tesla has said that, despite their names, Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” are only driver assist systems and cannot drive themselves. It says drivers should always pay attention and be ready to take action.
SourceDETROIT — Last August, Vince Patton was watching a YouTube video of a Tesla owner who had made a startling observation: Tesla drivers could now play a video game on their car's touch-screen dashboard — while the vehicle is moving.
Curious to see for himself, Patton drove his own 2021 Tesla Model 3 to an empty community college parking lot, activated a game called “Sky Force Reloaded” from a menu and did a few loops.
“I was just dumbfounded that, yes, sure enough, this sophisticated video game came up,” said Patton, a 59-year-old retired broadcast journalist who lives near Portland, Oregon.
He tried Solitaire, too, and was able to activate that game while driving. Later, he found he could browse the internet while his car was moving.
Patton, who loves his car and says he has nothing against Tesla, worries that drivers will play games and become dangerously distracted.
“Somebody’s going to get killed," he said. "It’s absolutely insane.”
Which is why early last month, Patton decided to file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the government's road safety agency.
“NHTSA needs to prohibit all live video in the front seat and all live interactive web browsing while the car is in motion,” Patton wrote in his complaint. “Creating a dangerous distraction for the driver is recklessly negligent.”
On Wednesday, NHTSA confirmed that it's looking into the matter. News of Patton’s complaint was first reported Tuesday by The New York Times.
“We are aware of driver concerns and are discussing the feature with the manufacturer,” a NHTSA spokeswoman wrote in an email. “The Vehicle Safety Act prohibits manufacturers from selling vehicles with design defects posing unreasonable risks to safety.”
The spokeswoman declined to provide further details of its conversations with Tesla. The agency has not opened a formal investigation, which would involve requests for documents and other detailed information. Tesla, which has disbanded its media relations department, did not respond to messages from The Associated Press.
NHTSA's inquiry marks the latest in a growing list of possible infractions involving advanced auto technology that are being reviewed by two federal agencies as potential safety risks.
The government is looking into Tesla's Autopilot partially automated driving system, as well as its “Full Self-Driving” software system, which is being tested by selected owners on public roads. In addition, as it increases scrutiny under President Joe Biden, NHTSA is investigating over-the-internet software updates that are intended to fix safety problems and Tesla battery fires.
In its statement, NHTSA said that it continues to research driving distractions and that it's issued voluntary guidelines for automakers to determine whether a particular task interferes with driver attention.
“If a task does not meet the acceptance criteria," the statement said, “the NHTSA guidelines recommend that the task be made inaccessible for performance by the driver while driving.”
The agency noted that crashes involving distracted drivers killed more than 3,100 people in 2019, representing about 9% of all U.S. traffic deaths. But safety experts contend that distracted driving crashes are undercounted.
It's unclear how long Tesla has allowed games to be played while vehicles are moving. But Patton said a software update that he noticed over the summer may have begun to allow “Sky Force Reloaded” to be used by drivers. The game, he noted, involves missiles and lasers that can be fired at objects.
Before the video games can be activated while the car is moving, drivers are asked whether they are passengers and must click a button saying they are. But Patton said there appears to be no way for Tesla to confirm that fact.
“If you're alone in the car," he said, a driver could lie and still be able to play while driving.
“That’s not much of a safety barrier," he said.
Even if only a passenger is playing the game, Patton said, it can still be distracting to the driver because the game takes up about two-thirds of the touch screen. This also makes it harder for the driver to see warnings and controls for windshield defrosters, he said.
Previously, Patton said, games could be played only while the vehicles were in park. Many drivers use them while waiting for batteries to be recharged at Tesla's Supercharger stations, he said.
Jason Levine, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said in an email that NHTSA has the authority to declare the vehicles defective and to seek a recall.
“There’s little question that having a large screen next to the driver on which the driver, or a passenger, can play a video game while the vehicle is moving is an unreasonable risk to safety,” Levine wrote. “NHTSA’s recent statements would suggest this feature has been in violation of both the spirit and letter of NHTSA’s driver distraction guidelines and the law.”
Tesla's Autopilot system has been misused by drivers in the past, who have thwarted its system for detecting hands on the wheel. In one case, a driver in California was arrested while riding in the back seat as the car rolled down a freeway.
After investigating two fatal crashes involving Autopilot, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that Tesla install a camera system to ensure that drivers were paying attention. The agency said in October that Tesla hasn't officially responded.
Tesla has said that, despite their names, Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” are only driver assist systems and cannot drive themselves. It says drivers should always pay attention and be ready to take action.
Lexus Test Driver
Seriously...this should be a self monitoring issue. Anyone can pick up their smartphone or tablet and begin playing games in their car. 
Quote:
Before the video games can be activated while the car is moving, drivers are asked whether they are passengers and must click a button saying they are. But Patton said there appears to be no way for Tesla to confirm that fact.
“If you're alone in the car," he said, a driver could lie and still be able to play while driving.
Perhaps they could use the occupancy sensor they use for the seat-belt reminder. Yeah you could put a bunch of weight on the seat to fool it, but it's a better deterrent than the current method of 'Are you a Driver or Passenger?'Before the video games can be activated while the car is moving, drivers are asked whether they are passengers and must click a button saying they are. But Patton said there appears to be no way for Tesla to confirm that fact.
“If you're alone in the car," he said, a driver could lie and still be able to play while driving.
swajames
Lead Lap
close
May 24, 2026
- Join DateMay 2010
- LocationSan Diego, CA
- Posts:3,991
-
iTrader Positive Feedback0
-
iTrader Feedback Score(0)
-
Likes:1,045
-
Liked:1,616 Times in 1,018 Posts
Quote:
Before the video games can be activated while the car is moving, drivers are asked whether they are passengers and must click a button saying they are. But Patton said there appears to be no way for Tesla to confirm that fact.
“If you're alone in the car," he said, a driver could lie and still be able to play while driving.
Before the video games can be activated while the car is moving, drivers are asked whether they are passengers and must click a button saying they are. But Patton said there appears to be no way for Tesla to confirm that fact.
“If you're alone in the car," he said, a driver could lie and still be able to play while driving.
Quote:
Absolutely, this is just asinine. Sure the driver can lie. They could also choose to drive with their eyes shut, choose to drive at night with their lights off or myriad other insane things. At some point, it all just boils down to society only functioning if we all take personal responsibility.Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
Perhaps they could use the occupancy sensor they use for the seat-belt reminder. Yeah you could put a bunch of weight on the seat to fool it, but it's a better deterrent than the current method of 'Are you a Driver or Passenger?'
And to the specific case, Tesla of course records the incriminating data. Were an accident to happen and the driver was playing a game having confirmed that they were a passenger, they should be automatically found to be at fault and in more serious cases that might result in injury or worse they should be charged accordingly.
GS3Tek
CL Community Team
close
Today
- Join DateJan 2003
- Locationso cal
- Posts:12,390
-
iTrader Positive Feedback100
-
iTrader Feedback Score(8)
-
Likes:186
-
Liked:184 Times in 138 Posts
Lexus locking out their navigation in motion: "this is why we can't have nice things"
it's tough because there's no accountability.
it's tough because there's no accountability.
While I am not Tesla's biggest fan by any means, I disagree with Mr. Patton. IMO one cannot blame this on Tesla or the industry. Most of the driving-distraction problems come from one simple fact (besides the obvious complexity of some of the automotive video-screens themselves)...we live in an Instant-Gratification society where people have absolutely no patience, are determined to do whatever they want, whenever they want, even behind the wheel. It has reached a point where it is so widespread that police cannot even begin to reinforce driving-distraction-laws. As a society, we have become a victim of our own self-centeredness.
Racer
Tesla is not "creating a dangerous distraction for the driver." The driver is the one who creates the distraction by opening the game on the touchscreen/unlocking their phone/applying their makeup. With that said, Tesla's current iteration of software that allows the game to be played by the driver while the car is being driven, should be changed so that the driver doesn't have the opportunity to create this specific distraction. Automakers can't control what you do with your phone, but they can (and have) put limitations and lockouts on their own systems. This is done because they don't want to be held liable for allowing a situation where a driver strikes a pedestrian because they were distracted with inputting an address using the touchscreen. This issue with Tesla's system should be treated the same way, and if the driver is alone in the car, certain menu options should be inaccessible to prevent them from playing while driving.
Fizzboy7
Lexus Test Driver
close
Today
- Join DateMar 2008
- LocationCalifornia
- Posts:9,997
-
iTrader Positive Feedback0
-
iTrader Feedback Score(0)
-
Likes:199
-
Liked:248 Times in 155 Posts
Quote:
I completely agree, we have become selfish and self-centered to the point of endangering ourselves and others. But also, it's like a bragging rights thing where someone can now say, "hey... I can play video games on my way home from work..." It's a conversation that would take place around the coffee break room or at a family gathering. Originally Posted by mmarshall
While I am not Tesla's biggest fan by any means, I disagree with Mr. Patton. IMO one cannot blame this on Tesla or the industry. Most of the driving-distraction problems come from one simple fact (besides the obvious complexity of some of the automotive video-screens themselves)...we live in an Instant-Gratification society where people have absolutely no patience, are determined to do whatever they want, whenever they want, even behind the wheel. It has reached a point where it is so widespread that police cannot even begin to reinforce driving-distraction-laws. As a society, we have become a victim of our own self-centeredness.
However, it is all like putting out poison for a pest. It is tempting because of the smell or taste, but will zap you in the end. Same with these added features and games. I think the builder has the responsibility to keep certain dangerous temptations away.
having you hit "i'm not driving" or "i'm a passenger" must be enough for the lawyers of tesla to remove any blame from any misuse. i suppose it works for phone manus as well!
i agree keeping the front screen from distracting the driver is of utmost importance, even if the passenger is browsing. i thought there was a law prohibiting any movies or distractions from playing in the front screen? maybe they vary by state?
i agree keeping the front screen from distracting the driver is of utmost importance, even if the passenger is browsing. i thought there was a law prohibiting any movies or distractions from playing in the front screen? maybe they vary by state?
Quote:
Laws are useless if not enforced....or, as in the case of widespread distracted-driving, simply beyond the capacity of the police to do so.....especially while they are in the donut shop. Originally Posted by timmy0tool
i thought there was a law prohibiting any movies or distractions from playing in the front screen? maybe they vary by state?
1st Gear
The idea of being able to play video games or even browse the internet while driving seems really risky. I’m new on this forum and have always been cautious about anything that could distract drivers. I recently bought a Tesla, and while I love the technology, I agree that safety should always come first.
AMIRZA786
Lexus Champion
close
Today
- Join DateOct 2019
- LocationCalifornia
- Posts:19,714
-
iTrader Positive Feedback0
-
iTrader Feedback Score(0)
-
Likes:6,585
-
Liked:3,768 Times in 2,973 Posts
Quote:
Well here's the thing.... those features are completely disabled unless you are in Park. You can't play video games, watch YouTube etc while the car is in Drive. People use these features during charging. More Fake news Originally Posted by Cinereday
The idea of being able to play video games or even browse the internet while driving seems really risky. I’m new on this forum and have always been cautious about anything that could distract drivers. I recently bought a Tesla, and while I love the technology, I agree that safety should always come first.
CL Community Team
bitkahuna
CL Community Team
close
Today
- Join DateFeb 2001
- Posts:80,837
-
iTrader Positive Feedback100
-
iTrader Feedback Score(20)
-
Likes:2,299
-
Liked:4,014 Times in 2,730 Posts
Quote:
so cars should be prevented from going more than 10 over the speed limit too, huh?Originally Posted by Cinereday
I agree that safety should always come first.
Quote:
you can browse internet in browser if you want, not play videos though. So maybe there are games you can play if you use browser to go to some site.Originally Posted by AMIRZA786
Well here's the thing.... those features are completely disabled unless you are in Park. You can't play video games, watch YouTube etc while the car is in Drive. People use these features during charging. More Fake news
but.. so you can browse your phone and do whatever you want on it, which people do - like type messages, etc....
