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US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after several crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.

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

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving in the wrong way during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

The authority reported that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts 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 advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer'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 take over at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.