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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency stated it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the system.

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

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings 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 Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.”

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