Elon Musk says Tesla FSD lets you text while being driven. I tried it. Here's what happened.

On Thursday, Elon Musk announced that the latest update to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software now enables drivers to send texts while the vehicle navigates. Intrigued by this feature, I decided to test it out in my 2024 Tesla Model 3 to see how well the system performed in this scenario. Equipped with the new FSD software version 14.2.1, I began my journey in Silicon Valley, taking advantage of Tesla's free FSD trial recently made available to a vast number of vehicles. Typically priced at $100 per month, this promotion allows users to explore the capabilities of the latest software update at no cost. I selected a brief route to a nearby salon for a haircut and initiated the self-driving feature by tapping the new blue button labeled 'Start Self-Driving.' To gauge the functionality in real-time, I used my iPhone to send live updates via Slack to my colleagues. As I typed, I shared various observations: 'I'm typing this as I'm being driven by FSD,' I noted, followed by, 'The car hasn't stopped me doing this or alerted me.' I opted for Chill Mode, a less aggressive setting, when the car prompted me to apply slight pressure to the steering wheel. Despite the reminders to stay attentive, the vehicle continued its journey without interruption. The drive lasted about seven minutes, winding through my hometown on a sunny day. At one point, the Tesla navigated a narrow road, carefully maneuvering between parked cars and oncoming traffic, including a large trash truck. Remarkably, there were no incidents; the car stopped at stop signs and yielded appropriately. However, while Musk’s announcement may suggest that texting while using FSD is permissible, it's essential to consider California's strict distracted driving laws, which impose significant fines. These regulations currently apply to human drivers rather than autonomous vehicles, marking a new frontier in road safety. On my return trip, I repeated the experiment, texting my wife, "I went to get a haircut and I'm texting you while Tesla FSD drives me home." I sent several messages without receiving a response, which perhaps highlights the wisdom of being cautious when it comes to texting behind the wheel, even in a self-driving car.