US Authorities Launch Inquiry into Self-Driving Teslas After String of Accidents

US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the agency concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the authority started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.