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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after several accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the system.

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

The agency reported that four accidents had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.