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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after several crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's planned actions as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In October 2024, the agency started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these features are engineered to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.