US Authorities Launch Inquiry into Autonomous Tesla Vehicles Following Series of Accidents

US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after several accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD activated, “came to an junction with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads despite the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, 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 steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.