The federal safety regulator said on Thursday that the company has agreed to modify its software to prevent drivers and passengers from playing video games on the dashboard screens while the vehicle is moving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a formal investigation of the game feature, known as Passenger Play, on Thursday. The New York Times reported on the potential safety risks of the games.
The safety agency said that after the opening of a preliminary evaluation of thePassenger Play, it was informed that it was changing the feature. When the vehicle is in motion,Passenger Play will be locked and unusable.
The games were accessible while cars were moving. The executive director of the Center for Auto Safety said there is no argument that this isn't dangerous.
The company did not reply to the request.
Video games have been added to the company's cars for several years. Most can only be played when the car is in park but this summer it made available three via over-the-air software that can be played on the large touch screens mounted in the center of the car. Sky Force Reloaded is a jet fighter game, as is the Battle of Polytopia: Moonrise, a conquest strategy game.
Solitaire is a game for everyone, but playing while the car is moving is only for passengers, according to a warning before the game starts. Drivers can click through the question and play the games if players confirm that they are not driving the car.
The safety agency said that the Vehicle Safety Act prohibits manufacturers from selling vehicles with defects that pose unreasonable risks to safety.
