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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's planned actions as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the authority started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the car self-driving.”

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