🔗 Share this article American Regulators Begin Investigation into Autonomous Teslas Following Series of Collisions US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following numerous crashes. Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”. This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they pose a risk to public safety. Concerning Case Findings The agency reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving in the wrong way during lane changes while using the technology. NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”. The authority reported that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries. Further Issues Identified The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the car's display”. Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”. Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year. In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal. Company's Official Stance The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle self-driving.” Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.