American Authorities Begin Probe into Autonomous Teslas After String of Accidents

US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following several accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong way during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

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

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

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

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.