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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after several accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

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

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was later part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

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

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

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