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American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red light and was later part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “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 traffic signal state in the car's display”.

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

Ongoing 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 authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive motorist, 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 functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.