Our culture is continuously exposed to new gadgets and technology that claim to make our lives easier and more fun in this era of technological advancement. But occasionally, using this kind of technology can come with significant risks, particularly when driving or other similar activities are involved.
Lately, there’s been a wild trend making the rounds online – videos of Tesla drivers rocking VR headsets while driving. Like, seriously? Who thought that was a good idea? It’s got safety advocates and even the US government shaking their heads in disbelief.
Reminder—ALL advanced driver assistance systems available today require the human driver to be in control and fully engaged in the driving task at all times. pic.twitter.com/OpPy36mOgC
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) February 5, 2024
In response to a video that surfaced on Monday showing a driver operating Teslas while wearing what looked to be Apple’s recently announced Vision Pro headset, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that human drivers need to be alert at all times.
Sure, Tesla’s got some fancy autopilot features, but they’re not an excuse to zone out and escape into VR wonderland. Safety first, folks!
The US government is getting antsy about these VR shenanigans, and for good reason. They’re talking about cracking down on distracted driving laws and maybe even putting the kibosh on VR headsets behind the wheel. Can’t say we blame ’em!
So, here’s the deal: let’s keep our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel. No VR headsets, no texting, no Instagramming – nada! It’s not worth risking lives for a virtual thrill ride.
