American Regulators Launch Investigation into Autonomous Tesla Vehicles Following String of Crashes

American vehicle safety authorities have started an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

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

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration 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 alerts of the technology's intended actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive 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 currently enabled features do not make the car autonomous.”

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