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US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.