American Authorities Begin Inquiry into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles After String of Crashes
US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple collisions.
Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches
The NHTSA declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.
This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.
Alarming Case Findings
The agency stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the system.
NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “came to an junction with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other cars in the intersection”.
The authority reported that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.
Further Issues Identified
The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.
Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.
Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny
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 authority started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.
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 steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the car self-driving.”
Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.
