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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an examination into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving against the wrong way during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the authority began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.