sleepydoc
Well-Known Member
Two comments -I can only say I'm going to be on task. If anything I feel like it's safer because I can focus on the big picture. I spent 24 years flying airplanes in the Air Force so staying focused isn't an issue.
Only you know yourself. If you're going to use it to dork around on your cellphone, you're right, bad idea. But if you're going to use it to simply relieve yourself of jiggling the wheel every 20 seconds you'll be a safer driver for it. You and I have the same experience flying airplanes and what you said is right, being relieved of the minutia lets you look at more important things. You should try it, with your flying background you understand how to stay focused and let it be a tool instead of a crutch.
I really wish they'd take a pedal input; I find the Tesla needs much more input with the pedal than the steering wheel when you're just cruising down the highway. I'd set the 'max speed' to about 50 on the interstate and constantly use the pedal to keep a proper positioning. IMO in autopilot your speed needs constant tweaking but it does a good job of keeping you between the lines.
Tesla has to design a system for everyone, i.e. the lowest common denominator.
Also, we all think we know ourselves but people are remarkably good at rationalizing and deceiving themselves. I would never use it as an excuse to get out my phone or otherwise intentionally be irresponsible but it's easy to get lulled into a false sense of security and start to do little things here and there that eventually lead to significant distraction.