US Authorities Launch Probe into Self-Driving Teslas After String of Collisions

American vehicle safety authorities have started an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after numerous accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and moving against the wrong direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.