American Authorities Initiate Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles After Series of Crashes
US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple collisions.
Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Violations
The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.
This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.
Alarming Incident Reports
The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane changes while using the system.
NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.
The authority reported that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.
Additional Issues Identified
The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed 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 vehicle interface”.
Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.
Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny
Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.
In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.
Manufacturer's Official Stance
The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not make the car self-driving.”
Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.
