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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was later part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority reported that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the proper light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's intended actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.