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US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving in the wrong way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the crossroads despite the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency noted that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

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

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.