🔗 Share this article

American vehicle safety authorities have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following multiple accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Violations

The federal safety agency announced that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

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

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority reported that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.