🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving against the wrong direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the agency started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced 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 “intended for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these features are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

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