Tesla's FSD Sparks Safety Concerns as Visually Impaired Driver Relies on System, Drawing Regulatory Scrutiny

Recently, Tesla's official North American social media account reposted an interview video featuring Cybertruck owner Ricky, who stated that due to deteriorating eyesight, he purchased a Tesla equipped with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system on the recommendation of his ophthalmologist. The doctor, who personally owns two Teslas, accompanied Ricky during a test drive during which Ricky never touched the steering wheel—the vehicle drove autonomously for 90 minutes. However, Tesla explicitly states that FSD is only a Level 2 driver-assistance system, requiring drivers to remain fully attentive at all times and retain full responsibility for safety, as the system cannot achieve full self-driving capability. Relying on FSD with impaired vision poses significant safety risks. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has since expanded its investigation into FSD, now covering 3.2 million Tesla vehicles and reviewing over 80 related traffic incidents. Some Cybertruck owners have already filed lawsuits against Tesla over accidents allegedly caused by FSD. Elon Musk previously claimed that with FSD enabled, drivers could “text while driving,” yet Tesla continues to classify the system as Level 2—allegedly to avoid legal liability—drawing widespread criticism and skepticism.