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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the crossroads despite the red signal and was later part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's intended behaviour as the car was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.