Tesla has quietly introduced a major change in how it communicates driver safety alerts, signaling a shift in strategy that could influence the way drivers use its advanced driver assistance system. With the rollout of software version 2025.32.3, Tesla vehicles are now prompting owners to enable Full Self-Driving (FSD) when the car detects lane drift or driver drowsiness.
Traditionally, Tesla’s in-cabin monitoring system and lane departure warnings have focused on alerting drivers to stay attentive and correct their course. Messages like “Keep your hands on the wheel” or “Stay alert” were designed as reminders that ultimate responsibility lies with the driver, even when using advanced automation features.
But the new alerts represent a notable departure. Instead of simply warning, the car now recommends activating FSD, presenting it as an aid to keep drivers focused.
According to hacker @greentheonly, who frequently discovers new and hidden features deep inside software updates, 2025.32.3 and later adds at least two new on-screen notifications:
- “Lane drift detected. Let FSD assist so you can stay focused.”
- “Drowsiness detected. Stay focused with FSD.”
These alerts appear to show up when the vehicle is being operated manually and the system detects warning signs via the cabin camera or lane-keeping sensors.
The shift raises interesting questions about how Tesla positions FSD. On one hand, the company continues to stress that drivers must remain fully attentive when using the software, keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. On the other hand, these new messages imply that the system can serve as a safety net when drivers are less than fully alert — for example, if they are fatigued, distracted, or drifting within their lane.
That creates a subtle contradiction. Tesla is essentially saying you must always be alert to supervise FSD, but if you’re drowsy, turn FSD on. For some, this represents an important step toward proactive safety — the car offering help precisely when human performance is compromised. For others, it highlights the messaging challenges Tesla faces in balancing marketing, safety regulation, and real-world driver behaviour.
This new approach could pave the way for a broader trend in Tesla’s safety strategy. If the company expands these types of alerts, drivers may eventually see prompts not just for drowsiness, but also for other forms of impairment, such as distracted driving due to smartphone use. In that sense, Tesla’s vehicles may evolve into systems that actively encourage drivers to lean on automation in moments of reduced capability.
At the same time, regulators and safety advocates are likely to watch closely. Highlighting FSD as a remedy for drowsiness may spark a closer look by regulators into whether drivers might become overly reliant on the technology in unsafe situations.
Hm, interesting messaging shift in 2025.32.3.
— green (@greentheonly) September 11, 2025
Now the drowsiness/lane departure alerts suggest FSD.
Like:
– Lane drift detected. Let FSD assist so you can stay focused.
– Drowsiness detected. Stay focused with FSD.
