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American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

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

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was later part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended behaviour as the car 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 October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by 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 currently enabled features do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.