US Authorities Initiate Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles Following Series of Collisions
US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple accidents.
Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Violations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.
This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.
Alarming Incident Reports
The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving in the wrong direction during lane switching while using the technology.
NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving engaged, “came to an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was later part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”.
The authority reported that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.
Additional Issues Identified
The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.
Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.
Continuing Official Examination
Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.
In October 2024, the authority began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.
Company's Stated Position
The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active features do not render the car self-driving.”
Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.
