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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was later part of a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide 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 sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering 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 make the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.