US Authorities Launch Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles After Series of Collisions

US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed 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 intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

The agency reported that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.