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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red signal and was later part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, 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 alerts of the technology's intended behaviour as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing 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 authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive motorist, 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 presently active functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.