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American vehicle safety authorities have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following numerous crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated 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 early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the authority began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.