US Regulators Begin Investigation into Autonomous Tesla Vehicles Following String of Collisions

American vehicle safety authorities have started an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after several crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red signal and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation 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 conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.