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US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following several collisions.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

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

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended 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 Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

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