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US automobile safety regulators have started an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The federal safety agency declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “came to an junction with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was subsequently involved in a collision with other cars in the junction”.

The agency noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account 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 did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated 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 basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.