🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following numerous collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

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

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane switching while using the technology.

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

The agency noted that four accidents had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

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

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

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