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US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after several accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red light and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced 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 poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the car autonomous.”

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