July 9th 2024.
Tesla's electric cars have been making waves in the automotive industry since their launch in 2008. With their sleek design and impressive performance, they have quickly become a favorite among drivers. But for parents, the increasing technology in these vehicles has also brought about some worries. From excessive gaming to cyberbullying, the digital world can be a source of concern for many.
To address these concerns, many companies have started offering parental control features, such as setting time limits or blocking certain online content. And now, Tesla is joining in on this trend, by introducing a range of safety features specifically for young drivers. Co-founded by the visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk, the company is currently testing software that will restrict the car's acceleration and maximum speed, as well as implementing a 'night curfew'.
One of the main concerns for parents when it comes to their child driving a Tesla is its impressive acceleration capabilities. But with the new parental control settings, teenagers will no longer be able to switch off the 'chill mode', which limits the car's power. Additionally, parents can also set a maximum speed limit and prevent their young drivers from turning off important safety features such as speed limit warnings, automatic emergency braking, and collision warnings. All these settings can be accessed through a PIN, giving parents the flexibility to adjust them as needed.
The 'night curfew' feature is also a welcome addition for many parents. It allows them to set specific times during which the car cannot be driven. If the car is still driven during these hours, the owner will receive an alert through the app. This feature is similar to the existing 'valet mode' which includes locking the glove box and hiding the owner's home address.
These new safety features are especially important for young drivers, as statistics have shown that they are more likely to be involved in car accidents. In fact, drivers between the ages of 17 and 24 make up a high percentage of fatal or serious crashes. This is why many parents will appreciate Tesla's efforts to provide additional safety measures for their young drivers.
However, the need for these features was highlighted in a tragic incident involving 18-year-old Barrett Riley. He had asked a Tesla garage to disable the speed limiter feature installed by his father. Tragically, he and his friend were killed while driving at a speed of 116mph in a zone with a speed limit of 25mph. After this incident, Tesla released its own speed limit feature in memory of Barrett Riley. The company was also found to be 1% at fault and was ordered to pay $100,000 in compensation to the family.
In addition to these new safety features, Tesla also offers a full self-driving mode. However, this feature is not yet legal for use in the UK. With hundreds of thousands of young drivers passing their test every year, it is important for companies like Tesla to prioritize safety measures for this age group. These new parental control settings are a step in the right direction and will hopefully help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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