Tesla Pushes Drivers to Activate Full Self-Driving Amid Safety Concerns
Key Points
- Tesla added in‑car alerts urging drivers who appear drowsy or drifting to activate Full Self‑Driving.
- The prompts suggest using FSD to stay focused, a shift from prior safety‑first messaging.
- Safety experts warn that relying on supervised automation during inattentive moments may increase crash risk.
- Tesla’s existing driver‑monitoring cameras and strike system aim to enforce driver attention.
- The update comes amid ongoing lawsuits and jury findings linking Tesla’s driver‑assistance tech to fatal crashes.
- Full Self‑Driving remains a core element of Tesla’s long‑term autonomous‑vehicle strategy.
Tesla’s latest software update adds in‑car prompts that tell drivers who appear drowsy or drifting to activate the Full Self‑Driving (FSD) feature. While the automaker argues the messages are meant to keep drivers focused, safety experts warn that encouraging reliance on a supervised system during moments of inattention could increase risk. The move comes as Tesla faces ongoing legal scrutiny over its driver‑assistance claims and continues to position FSD as a cornerstone of its autonomous‑vehicle strategy.
Background
Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system, offered as a driver‑assistance feature, has always required drivers to stay engaged and ready to take control. The company’s owner’s manual stresses that the technology cannot operate without driver supervision and that failure to remain attentive could lead to serious injury or death.
New In‑Car Messaging
In a recent software update, Tesla introduced two on‑screen alerts: one that detects lane‑drift and urges the driver to "Let FSD assist so you can stay focused," and another that flags possible drowsiness with the prompt "Stay focused with FSD." These messages appear when the vehicle’s sensors interpret driver behavior as inattentive.
Safety Concerns
Researchers and safety experts argue that the timing of these prompts is problematic. When drivers are already distracted, prompting them to rely on a supervised automation system may reduce the level of engagement required for safe operation. Experts compare the situation to the aviation industry’s “out‑of‑the‑loop” problem, where pilots become overly reliant on automation and lose situational awareness. The consensus among the cited experts is that encouraging activation of FSD during moments of drowsiness or lane drift could backfire, potentially increasing crash risk.
Company Response and History
Tesla has previously implemented driver‑monitoring cameras and a series of alerts to ensure drivers keep their eyes on the road while using FSD. The company also employs a “strike system” that can temporarily block access to driver‑assistance features after repeated non‑compliance. However, the newly added prompts appear to contradict the earlier safety‑focused measures, according to researchers who reviewed the update.
Legal and Strategic Context
Tesla’s push to promote FSD occurs amid ongoing legal challenges. The automaker has faced lawsuits alleging that its marketing misleads consumers about the capabilities of its driver‑assistance technology. Additionally, a recent jury finding held Tesla partially liable for a fatal crash involving an older version of its Autopilot system. Despite these challenges, FSD remains central to Tesla’s broader vision of autonomous vehicles and robotaxi services, with the company continuing to market the feature as a pathway toward fully unsupervised driving.
Outlook
As Tesla refines its software and expands its autonomous‑vehicle ambitions, the balance between encouraging feature adoption and maintaining driver safety will remain a focal point for regulators, industry observers, and consumers alike.