US Authorities Launch Inquiry into Self-Driving Teslas Following Series of Accidents

American vehicle safety authorities have started an examination into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned actions as the car was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.