US Authorities Launch Inquiry into Self-Driving Teslas Following Series of Collisions
US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after numerous collisions.
Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations
The federal safety agency declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.
This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the authority concludes they present a danger to road safety.
Alarming Incident Reports
The regulatory body reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the technology.
NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.
The authority noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.
Further Issues Identified
The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.
Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's intended actions as the car was approaching a red light”.
Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny
The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.
In late 2024, the authority started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.
Company's Stated Position
Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.”
Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.