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US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following numerous crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The authority noted that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the technology's planned actions as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the authority started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.