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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency announced that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was subsequently part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with 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 engineered to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.