**Texting and Driving a Self-Driving Tesla: Reckless Innovation or Smart Safety?**

As self-driving cars inch closer to being a norm on our roads, Tesla is at the forefront of this transformative technology, but at what cost to safety? This article explores the contentious issue of whether drivers should be permitted to text while using Tesla’s latest autonomous software.

Geoff Perlman, a Texas tech executive, has been testing Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) software and is impressed by its capabilities, yet he remains cautious about its performance. Unlike Perlman, Elon Musk suggests that texting while using this software could be acceptable, indicating a controversial stance that beckons concern from safety advocates. Michael Brooks, of the Center for Auto Safety, warns that Musk’s comments may mislead drivers into believing it’s safe to divert their attention.

While Tesla markets the safety of its vehicles equipped with FSD, claiming seven times fewer major collisions, experts question the validity of these statistics as they haven’t been independently verified. Moreover, regulatory bodies are also scrutinizing Tesla due to various safety issues, including instances of random braking and non-compliance with traffic rules.

Critics argue this relaxation towards texting could foster a false sense of security, promoting driver distraction. Youssef Kamal, a Tesla owner, admits to checking his phone while driving, even though that action can be dangerous, highlighting a common trend among many Tesla users. On the other hand, some feel the technology is far from fully autonomous, with users like Ernie Gorrie expressing frustration over inconsistent software performance.

With mounting lawsuits and investigations regarding their self-driving systems, Tesla is facing a significant challenge to ensure driver attentiveness. The absence of clear regulations concerning manufacturer responsibilities adds complicity to the matter.

In a competitive race against companies like Waymo, which claims a decade of advanced technology, Tesla is driven to innovate rapidly, but this could potentially backfire if safety incidents arise. Prof. Simeon Calvert suggests that while Tesla aims to lead in the market, the risks of rolling out uncertain technology could seriously harm their reputation and impact future regulations.

As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: balancing innovation and safety in self-driving technology is a critical, yet precarious, endeavor.