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American vehicle safety authorities have started an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

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

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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 authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.