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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following several collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

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 news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time 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”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with 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 functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.