US Regulators Begin Investigation into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles After String of Collisions

US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following several crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Violations

The federal safety agency announced that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the crossroads despite the red signal and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The agency reported that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's intended actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.