🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.