🔗 Share this article

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

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's intended actions as the car was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these features are engineered to improve over time, the presently active features do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.