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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following numerous crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The federal safety agency announced that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD active, 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 car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the agency started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these features are engineered to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.