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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the duration 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”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

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

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.