Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the company's latest Full Self-Driving (Supervised) driver assistance software allows owners to text while driving. This controversial claim comes despite texting while driving being illegal in nearly all U.S. states.
Musk's comment was a response to a user who observed that the updated FSD software no longer displayed a warning when they used their phone behind the wheel. The Tesla CEO clarified that the update permits texting "depending on context of surrounding traffic," without providing further details. Tesla, which notably lacks a public relations team, did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did Musk.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, virtually all 50 states prohibit texting while driving, with approximately half also banning any handheld phone use while operating a vehicle.
Despite Elon Musk's consistent promotion, Full Self-Driving (FSD) remains a driver assistance system, not a fully autonomous technology. Tesla explicitly warns drivers to keep their hands on the wheel even when FSD is active, emphasizing that drivers retain full liability for operating the vehicle.
FSD monitors driver attentiveness through a combination of in-cabin cameras and steering wheel sensors. As a driver assistance feature, it requires drivers to be prepared to take immediate control if the system encounters situations it cannot manage. This critical "handover" of control is frequently cited as a significant factor in crashes involving advanced driver assistance systems.
Concerns about driver complacency are not new; Musk himself has previously acknowledged that Autopilot, Tesla's standard driver assistance system, can sometimes lead to overconfidence. Regulators have linked Autopilot's activation to more than a dozen fatal crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is actively investigating Tesla's FSD software following over 50 reports of the system running red lights or veering into incorrect lanes. NHTSA is also examining FSD in connection with reported crashes occurring in low-visibility conditions. The agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Adding to Tesla's challenges, the company is nearing the conclusion of a protracted legal dispute with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV alleges that Tesla has misled customers for years regarding the self-driving capabilities of FSD and its predecessor, Autopilot. During July hearings, the state agency requested a judge to suspend Tesla's vehicle sales and manufacturing for a minimum of 30 days, with a decision anticipated by the end of the year.
