US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several crashes.
Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.
This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.
Concerning Incident Reports
The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the system.
NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was later part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.
The agency noted that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.
Additional Safety Concerns
The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.
Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.
Ongoing Official Examination
Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.
In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.
Company's Stated Position
The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”
Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.
