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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the technology.

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

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's intended actions as the car was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

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

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the presently active features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.