🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after numerous crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency reported it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving against the wrong way during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's intended actions as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the presently active features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.