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US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the crossroads despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The authority reported that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In October 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, 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 wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.