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

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency stated it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants 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

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

In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the car self-driving.”

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