US Regulators Begin Probe into Autonomous Teslas After Series of Accidents

US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after several crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the system.

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

The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

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

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.