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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several collisions.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling in the wrong way during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's intended actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with 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 improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.