American Regulators Begin Probe into Self-Driving Teslas Following Series of Collisions
American vehicle safety authorities have started an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after multiple accidents.
Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations
The federal safety agency announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.
This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.
Alarming Incident Reports
The agency stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane switching while using the technology.
NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red light and was later part of a crash with other cars in the intersection”.
The authority noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.
Additional Safety Concerns
The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.
Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red light”.
Continuing Official Examination
Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.
In late 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.
Company's Stated Position
Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”
Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.