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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after multiple accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving in the wrong way during lane switching while operating the technology.

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

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, 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 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. 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 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 become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.