US Regulators Initiate Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles After String of Collisions

American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several collisions.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended actions as the car was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.