American Regulators Initiate Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles Following Series of Collisions

American vehicle safety authorities have started an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after several crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane switching while using the technology.

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

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the technology's intended actions as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the authority began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist 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 completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.