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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an examination into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the technology's intended actions as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the presently active features do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.