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

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving against the wrong way during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The authority reported that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the agency started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

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 steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.