The driver got to court after being fined 200 euros (5250 CZK) and a monthly driving ban after an accident that happened last August, which he does not agree with. That’s when he got off the road and made excuses for adjusting the windshield wiper speed. Even this function, which is otherwise classically controlled on the lever at the steering wheel, is hidden in the Tesla Model 3 menu in the giant “tablet” menu on the instrument panel.
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However, the German court also described this basic manipulation as the use of electronic devices while driving, which is prohibited.
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“A touch screen permanently installed in a Tesla vehicle is an electronic device within the meaning of paragraph 23, paragraph 1a, the operation of which is permitted only under the conditions of this Regulation,” the judge said in his explanation, adding that the touch screen can only be adjusted does not distract from driving.
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Given that Tesla has already designed the car in this way, ie with the control of the wiper cycler via the screen, the respected magazine Auto Motor and Sport speculates that the driver could sue the carmaker.
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Control via the display is common today
The California carmaker really went the furthest with functions integrated into the touch screen. On the other hand, all the competition in today’s cars is moving more and more functions into so-called infotainments.
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Given that the manipulation of such a system has been described by a German court using an electronic device while driving, drivers will probably not be able to make excuses for its control.
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