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US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red signal and was subsequently part of a crash with other cars in the junction”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.