US safety regulator probes feature that lets Tesla drivers play video games

WASHINGTON • The US federal government's main auto safety regulator says it has opened an investigation into a feature in Tesla vehicles that allows drivers to play games on a dashboard touch screen while the car is in motion.

The investigation announced on Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the latest of several moves that regulators have taken in recent months regarding safety issues in cars made by Tesla, the dominant electric car maker and the world's highest-valued automaker.

In August, the safety agency opened a broad investigation into Tesla's autopilot system, which can accelerate and brake a car on its own, after cars using it crashed into parked firetrucks, police cars and other emergency vehicles at least 11 times. Those accidents resulted in one death and several serious injuries.

The New York Times reported earlier this month on the video feature, which Tesla calls Passenger Play, and its potential to distract drivers.

The agency's investigation suggests that it is taking a more aggressive stand after years of doing little to look into what many safety experts characterise as glaring flaws and gaps in Tesla's approach.

"We need NHTSA to be more active and robust, so hopefully this is the start of a more active agency," said Mr Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governor's Highway Safety Association.

The investigation into the video game covers about 580,000 car and sport utility vehicle models from 2017 onward.

At least three games can be played on the large touch screens mounted in the centre of every Tesla - solitaire; Sky Force Reloaded, a jet fighter game; and The Battle of Polytopia: Moonrise, a conquest strategy game.

Players are asked to confirm that they are not driving the car, but nothing prevents drivers from clicking through that question and playing the games. "It's unquestionably dangerous," said Mr Jason Levine, executive director of the Centre for Auto Safety, a consumer safety organisation. "Even if it is only for passenger use, there's no question it is distracting to a driver."

In a document posted on its website, the safety agency appeared to agree with Mr Levine's view, saying the games "may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash".

The video game feature has been available since last December in some of the company's vehicles, the safety agency said. "Prior to this time, game play was enabled only when the vehicle was in park," it added.

NYTIMES