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US automobile safety regulators have started an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following several collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was later part of a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined 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 conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

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

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.