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

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency reported that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended actions as the car was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced 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 cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.