🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency stated it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving in the wrong way during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “came to an junction with a red light, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.