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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after numerous accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving in the wrong way during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was later part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.