US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after numerous collisions.
The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.
This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.
The regulatory body stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars 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 vehicle, using FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.
The authority reported that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.
The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.
Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.
Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.
In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.
Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not make the car autonomous.”
Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.
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