🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The authority reported that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned actions as the car was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.