I had this same thought earlier.
My chief concern is that I can’t see the speedometer with my hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. I know that different people are different sizes and keep their seats in different positions, but I’m 5’10”, I keep my seat in a normal position, and 10 and 2 is the most normal steering wheel grip. It’s absolutely idiotic and unsafe to place the speedometer where it’s completely blocked by the driver’s hand in such a situation.
My gut tells me that the speedometer placement is probably the best hook to file NHTSA complaints and persuade Tesla to fix this abomination of an update. It looks like speedometer visibility is governed by 49 CFR § 571.101 (
49 CFR § 571.101 - Standard No. 101; Controls and displays.):
“S5.1.2 The telltales and indicators listed in Table 1 and Table 2 and their identification must be located so that, when activated, they are visible to a driver under the conditions of S5.6.1 and S5.6.2.”
“S5.6 Conditions
S5.6.1 The driver has adapted to the ambient light roadway conditions.
S5.6.2 The driver is restrained by the seat belts installed in accordance with 49 CFR 571.208 and adjusted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.”
“Driver means the occupant of a motor vehicle seated immediately behind the steering control system.”