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American vehicle safety authorities have started an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was subsequently involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through 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 traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority began an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.