US Regulators Begin Inquiry into Autonomous Tesla Vehicles After Series of Accidents

US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after several crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The authority noted that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle 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 late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog 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 prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.