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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after several accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

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

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The agency noted that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time 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 intended actions as the car was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.