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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection despite the red signal and was later part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, 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 did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

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

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.