US Authorities Initiate Inquiry into Self-Driving Teslas After String of Crashes

American vehicle safety authorities have started an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The authority reported that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.