🔗 Share this article American Authorities Begin Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles After String of Collisions US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several collisions. Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches The NHTSA announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”. This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a recall of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety. Alarming Case Findings The regulatory body stated it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and moving against the wrong direction during lane switching while using the system. NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”. The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants. Additional Issues Identified The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports 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 show the correct light status in the vehicle interface”. Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”. Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year. In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal. Company's Official Stance The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these features are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle self-driving.” Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.