US Authorities Begin Inquiry into Self-Driving Teslas Following String of Collisions

American vehicle safety authorities have started an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red signal and was subsequently involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

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

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.