🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

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

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an junction 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 show the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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 authority started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.