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American vehicle safety authorities have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following several crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, 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 show the proper light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the technology's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.