Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has once again ignited a major controversy regarding traffic safety by announcing that the company’s electric vehicles, equipped with the (Supervised) Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, “could soon allow drivers to ‘text and drive.’” This statement not only completely contradicts current traffic safety rules but also raises major questions about the legal status of self-driving technology in the United States.

Musk made the attention-grabbing comment at Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting on November 6, while discussing the latest self-driving update, Version 14.

FSD V14 Update and the Promise of ‘Freedom’

According to Electrek and USA Today, while introducing the improvements in Version 14 – an update released last month aimed at enhancing self-driving capabilities under user supervision – Musk abruptly shifted the conversation to a potentially shocking feature: allowing the use of mobile phones while the car is operating.

“We’re actually g[oing to allow]…” Musk was quoted as saying, implying that the FSD system is safe enough to lessen the need for the driver’s full focus.

This statement immediately drew fierce backlash from safety advocates and traffic experts. “Texting and driving” is currently illegal and considered an extremely dangerous behavior in most U.S. states and globally, being a leading cause of severe accidents.

The Challenge to the Legal Framework

The core issue is not just technological but legal. Tesla’s current FSD system is still classified as Level 2 Autonomy, meaning the driver must always be ready to intervene and remains fully responsible for the operation of the vehicle.

If Tesla were to actually implement a feature that encourages distraction (like texting), it would create a direct and dangerous conflict with federal and state regulations regarding phone use while driving.

Legal Risk: Musk’s statement could be seen as encouraging unsafe driving behavior. Should an accident occur while a user is texting, the company could face massive lawsuits, especially if the feature was advertised as “safe.”
Conflict with Reality: Despite FSD’s increasing sophistication, it is not yet Level 4 or 5 full automation. Encouraging drivers to relax their supervision could lead to situations where timely intervention is impossible.

Elon Musk’s shocking claim highlights his bold (or reckless) vision for self-driving technology, but it also serves as a sharp reminder of the strict legal and safety hurdles Tesla must overcome before “texting and driving” becomes an accepted reality.