American Regulators Launch Investigation into Self-Driving Teslas Following String of Accidents

US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and moving in the incorrect way during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.