🔗 Share this article American Regulators Begin Investigation into Autonomous Teslas After Series of Collisions US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following numerous accidents. Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches The NHTSA announced that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”. This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety. Concerning Case Findings The agency stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong way during lane switching while operating the system. NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving engaged, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was later part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”. The agency noted that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants. Additional Issues Identified The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”. Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red light”. Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year. In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly. Manufacturer's Stated Position Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, 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 make the vehicle autonomous.” Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.