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US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after several crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active features do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.