🔗 Share this article American Authorities Initiate Inquiry into Autonomous Tesla Vehicles Following String of Collisions American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after numerous crashes. Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”. This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety. Alarming Case Findings The agency stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving in the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the system. NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was subsequently part of a crash with other cars in the intersection”. The authority noted that four crashes had caused one or more injuries. Additional Issues Identified The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD active, “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 correct light status in the car's display”. Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”. Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months. In October 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal. Manufacturer's Stated Position The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.” Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.