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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following numerous crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned actions as the car was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.