In October 2015, Tesla rolled out an automatic software update that granted recent models a semi-autonomous driving capability. Currently, this feature allows the car to automatically steer down highways, keeping pace with the cars around you. It can change lanes, follow curves, automatically break, and even park for you.
But the real question is, is it legal? The answer is … sort of. Besides New York’s requirement of having your hands on the steering wheel, there are no laws that regulate autonomous driving. In fact, lawmakers have been largely unprepared for this, so for now, Tesla’s autopilot appears to fall into a legal gray area.
However, this may not be for long. Videos have surfaced online of Tesla owners abusing the feature in various ways. From driving while asleep to playing board games, these reckless drivers could prompt regulators to enforce new guidelines in the near future.
Despite these concerns, the NHTSA has expressed interest in autonomous driving technology in hopes of reducing auto accidents.
As anyone should agree, advancements in technology should promote driver safety, and not negligence.
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