🔗 Share this article

American vehicle safety authorities have started an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following several accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced 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 agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red signal and was later part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the authority began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.