🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following numerous collisions.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended actions as the car was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.