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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an examination into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after multiple accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

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

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states 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 features are engineered to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.