🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following several collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving against the wrong way during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was later part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority reported that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

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

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.