Tesla Gives Mixed Messages on Hands-Free Driving

One of the most appealing features of Tesla’s cars is their ability to steer themselves. But the semi-autonomous “Autopilot” feature has been linked to a series of crashes, and increasingly is blamed for encouraging drivers to take their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel.

Tesla has responded by sending drivers mixed messages. While the automaker warns drivers using Autopilot in a dashboard display to “keep your hands on the wheel,” Tesla continues to allow drivers to do the opposite—even as it steadily updates the software.