US Regulators Launch Investigation into Self-Driving Teslas After Series of Collisions

US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority reported that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through 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 show the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the technology's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching 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 late 2024, the agency began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.