🔗 Share this article American Authorities Begin Investigation into Autonomous Teslas After Series of Accidents US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several accidents. Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches The federal safety agency announced that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”. This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety. Concerning Incident Reports The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the technology. NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD activated, “came to an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”. The agency reported that four accidents had caused one or more injuries. Further Safety Concerns The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”. Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's intended behaviour as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”. Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months. In late 2024, the authority started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly. Manufacturer's Official Stance The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle self-driving.” Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.