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US automobile safety regulators have started an examination into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

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

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The authority noted that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

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

Continuing Official Examination

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 authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Company'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 wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.