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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after multiple collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

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

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states 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 features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.