US Authorities Launch Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles After String of Crashes

American vehicle safety authorities have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the agency concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

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

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog 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 operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.