American vehicle safety authorities have started an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after multiple collisions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety lawsâ.
This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.
The regulatory body reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect way during lane changes while operating the system.
NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD engaged, âapproached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the intersectionâ.
The agency reported that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.
The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, âfailed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's displayâ.
Some complainants also stated that FSD âdid not provide warnings of the technology's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red traffic signalâ.
The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.
In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.
The company's official position indicates that FSD is âdesigned for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these features are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the car autonomous.â
Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.
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