🔗 Share this article US Regulators Initiate Probe into Autonomous Tesla Vehicles Following Series of Crashes American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an examination into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following several collisions. Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Breaches The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”. This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety. Concerning Incident Reports The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane switching while using the technology. NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red signal and was later part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”. The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants. Further Issues Identified The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the vehicle interface”. Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended actions as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”. Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year. In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal. Manufacturer's Official Stance Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.” Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.