American Regulators Initiate Probe into Autonomous Teslas Following Series of Crashes

American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after numerous collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

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

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.