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US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Violations

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

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Further Issues Identified

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

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended behaviour as the car was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed 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 engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.