American Authorities Begin Probe into Autonomous Tesla Vehicles After Series of Collisions

American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong way during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “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 light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.