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American vehicle safety authorities have started an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection 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 correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's intended actions as the vehicle 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 under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.