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US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving in the wrong direction during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “came to an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was subsequently involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's intended actions as the car was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry 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 of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not make the car autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.