🔗 Share this article US Regulators Begin Inquiry into Autonomous Teslas After String of Crashes US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple collisions. Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”. This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety. Alarming Incident Reports The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving in the wrong way during lane changes while using the technology. NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “came to an junction 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 junction”. The agency noted that four accidents had caused injuries to occupants. Further Issues Identified The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”. Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's planned behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”. Ongoing Official Examination Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months. In late 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal. Company's Stated Position 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 prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.” Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.