When Tesla unveiled the new Model S and Model X last week, critics immediately lashed out at the vehicles’ uniquely shaped “yoke” system. However, if recent comments from UK regulators are any indication, it appears that Tesla’s yoke management for the refreshing flagship vehicles will find a welcome home on UK roads.
Vehicles on British roads are controlled by various regulatory bodies. In a recent report, The Sunday Times chose to get confirmation from the agency concerned to see if Tesla’s steering yoke would be approved for public use or not. The publication reached the Driver and Vehicle Safety Agency (DVSA), who referred it to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). The VCA then passed the Times to the Department of Transportation (DfT).
The UK Department of Transport oversees all agencies and policy decisions involving roads, vehicles and road safety. After an investigation, the publication received a brief response and was very positive for the American manufacturer of electric motors: ‘The steering equipment regulations (UN-ECE Regulation 79) do not determine the shape or size of the steering wheel. , ”Wrote the DfT.
The British body’s response reflects the attitude of the Netherlands National Road Traffic Service (RDW), which oversees vehicle and driver’s licenses, registration and control in the country. In a recent statement to a local news agency, the RDW confirmed that Tesla’s unique molding system for the Model S and Model X is completely legal. The agency even quoted the same UN-ECE Regulation 79 to emphasize its point.
The DfT guidance on MOT inspections refers to the testing of various steering systems, including yokes and steering pieces. Based on the agency’s guidelines, a steering system can bypass as long as there is no excessive play, wear or damage that would make the vehicle dangerous. Designs that can cause accidents can also be recalled. In short, as long as Tesla can show that the new steering wheel of Model S and Model X is safe, it would be perfectly legal to use it on British roads.
However, the DfT noted that there is something about Tesla’s new flagship engines that is causing concern. Tesla notes on its official website that the Model S and Model X are compatible with a wireless controller that enables play from every seat in the vehicle. According to the DfT, British law indicates that features such as video games should not be available to front seat passengers when the car is running. If Tesla allows Arcade games to be displayed on the Model S and Model X refresh’s main screen while the vehicles are moving, the company could make a mistake with regulators, even if the front passenger is the one playing games, not the driver not.
‘By law, drivers can only use screens when they see driving information related to the condition of the vehicle or its equipment, when displaying navigation, or when helping to view the road around the vehicle. ‘According to the regulations for road vehicles (narrowing and use), screens used for anything else must not be visible to the driver while the vehicle is being driven,’ ‘a DfT spokesman said.
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