Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Tesla Adds Dashboard-Mounted Video Games to its Cars

Safety advocates say Tesla’s move this past summer has amped up the risk for more distracted driving on the nation’s roadways.

December 9, 2021
Tesla Adds Dashboard-Mounted Video Games to its Cars

Many Tesla cars like this Model 3 received three video games in an over-the-air software update that can be played while the vehicle is in motion.

Photo courtesy of Tesla

2 min to read


Tesla has added a new feature — video games that can be played by the driver on a large touchscreen mounted in front of the dashboard — to most of its cars, causing trepidations among safety advocates, according to The New York Times.

This summer, the automaker added the games in an over-the-air software update that was sent to the majority of its cars. The three games can be played by a driver or by a passenger.

Ad Loading...

The move has raised concerns that Tesla is compromising safety by essentially inviting motorists to engage in distracted driving behavior. Distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 people in the U.S. in 2019 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

For many years, Tesla’s autopilot system, which can steer, slow, and accelerate a car on its own, has been the target of criticism from safety experts because it allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel for extended periods, notes the Times report. Moreover, the system lacks an effective means of ensuring that drivers keep their eyes on the road.

In fact, the combination of hands-free driving and drivers’ looking away from the road has been linked to at least 12 traffic deaths since 2016 in Tesla cars that were operating in autopilot mode, according to NHTSA.

The addition of video games appears to many safety advocates to be alarming — like accidents just waiting to happen.

For example, a spokesperson for the Governors Highway Safety Association told The Times that Tesla’s implementation of video games that play in view of the driver is a move that cries out for NHTSA to provide some guidance and regulation.

Ad Loading...

Previously, NHTSA issued guidelines telling automakers that any in-vehicle entertainment devices should be designed so the driver cannot use them “to perform inherently distracting secondary tasks while driving.”

Until this summer, the more than 10 video games in Tesla’s software package could be played only while a car was in park. That changed when the 2021.12.25.6 update was beamed to Tesla vehicles. Now, there are three new games that can be used while the car is in motion.

More Safety

Chris Brown sits across from safety experft at Lifesaver mobile in an interview about distracted driving and phone use tech.
Safetyby Chris BrownMay 1, 2026

Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.

Read More →
Safetyby Jeanny RoaApril 15, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2

As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.

Read More →
Safetyby Jeanny RoaApril 11, 2026

 Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash

What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Driver holding a phone while steering, illustrating distracted driving and the importance of mental awareness and attention on the road for fleet safety.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyApril 10, 2026

From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers

Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.

Read More →
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

Lytx 2026 Road Safety Report

While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.

Read More →
Driver’s hands on steering wheel in a sunlit vehicle, representing real-world driver behavior and the shift from data monitoring to hands-on training in fleet safety programs.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyApril 7, 2026

Behind-the-Wheel vs. Classroom Training: What Actually Changes Driver Behavior?

Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A person in a car on their phone behind the steering wheel.
Safetyby Jeanny RoaApril 1, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 1

A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.

Read More →
Pedestrians crossing a busy street, highlighting the importance of driver awareness and caution to prevent pedestrian accidents.
Safetyby StaffMarch 30, 2026

Pedestrian Safety Starts With the Driver

More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 30, 2026

Safety by Design: Power and Protection in the Freightliner 114SD Plus

Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Safetyby StaffMarch 26, 2026

Pedestrian Deaths Drop in First Half of 2025, Marking Largest Decline in Years

An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.

Read More →