🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane switching 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 light, continued to travel into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency reported that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

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

Manufacturer'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 steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.