🔗 Share this article

US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving in the wrong direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The agency noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

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 wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.