US Authorities Initiate Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles After Series of Accidents

US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following several crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker'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 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.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's intended actions as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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 began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

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

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