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

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

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

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was subsequently involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.