A recent test aimed to understand when Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14.2.1 system might permit drivers to look at their phones without immediate warnings. The experiment involved driving in low, medium, and high traffic conditions, with the driver briefly glancing at a phone for up to five to seven seconds at a time. Throughout the test, precautions were taken, with the driver always checking the road and avoiding situations with pedestrians or law enforcement nearby.

Interestingly, during tests conducted in both low and medium congestion areas, the vehicle's in-car monitoring system never prompted the driver to return attention to the road. This result was surprising, especially given that previous FSD versions were generally more sensitive to driver gaze. It wasn't until testing on a highway with high congestion, where the phone was held for slightly longer periods, that an alert finally triggered, instructing the driver to look at the road.

Despite these findings, the author of the test strongly expressed discomfort with the idea of texting while driving, even when FSD is active. He highlighted two major reasons: the driver retains full legal liability in the event of an accident, and using a phone while driving is illegal in many jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania where the test took place. Tesla itself advises drivers to remain attentive at all times when using either Autopilot or FSD, as clearly stated on its support website. This critical test serves as a powerful reminder that while technology advances, personal responsibility and adherence to traffic laws remain paramount for everyone's safety.