🔗 Share this article

American vehicle safety authorities have started an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following several crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

The agency noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, 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 conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the car self-driving.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.