Some Norwegian Driving Schools Ban Teslas for Poor Turn Signal Design
Redesigning the wheel is great, as long as the thing you’re changing actually needs it. Automakers are primary offenders in this area, changing the gear selector and many other long-consistent components.
Tesla changed several things in its vehicles, the most baffling of which is the turn signal stalk, which it removed in favor of steering wheel-mounted buttons. That “update” is cause for concern for driving schools in Norway, where many instructors believe the buttons are dangerous in some situations and have banned Teslas from their lessons.
One instructor found that roundabouts pose a challenge with Tesla’s turn signal buttons, as Norway law requires indicating an exit, which is challenging while turning the wheel. He posted his thoughts in a group with other instructors, finding that several agreed, with some saying they’d ban the vehicles in their schools.
Tesla is one of the most popular brands in Norway, where EVs have all but completely taken over the market. Many young drivers end up behind the wheel of a Tesla as a result, so it seems like a good idea to teach them how to use the vehicles properly. I’m not apologizing for Tesla’s turn signal design – I think it’s one of the worst decisions the company has made with design – but I do see value in finding a way to teach young drivers how to use the turn signals if they’re going to be driving a Tesla as their first vehicle.
[Image: Tesla]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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The average American is pretty dumb, and half of all Americans are even dumber than that (Mark Twain, from memory)
It's a real pain to make car designs idiot-proof, but more than half of all drivers are pretty effing stupid (see above), so you have to, Elon.
I agree that dropping the stalk was a stupid idea - it looks like a huge pain to put on your signal if the wheel isn't straight ahead - yes, there are instances where you want to signal your next turn while in the current one.
Driver Education Wednesday:
• In terms of weight disparity, a train smashing into your vehicle is the equivalent of your vehicle smashing into an aluminum beverage can.
Let's be careful out there.
Not to mention having a child learn to drive a Tesla is extremely unsafe. They are far too fast, interior ergonomics are horrid, and the screen is nothing but a distraction. The turn signals are yet another stupid Tesla design choice but that’s the least of your worries with a new driver behind the wheel of a Tesla