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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 following multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the crossroads despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended actions as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

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 authority began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.