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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving in the wrong way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the authority began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

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 steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.