US Authorities Initiate Probe into Self-Driving Teslas After Series of Collisions
US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after numerous accidents.
Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations
The federal safety agency declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.
This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.
Alarming Incident Reports
The agency stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while using the system.
NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the crossroads despite the red light and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.
The authority noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.
Additional Issues Identified
The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.
Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.
Continuing Official Examination
The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.
In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.
Company's Stated Position
The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle self-driving.”
Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.