American Regulators Initiate Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles Following Series of Collisions
US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several accidents.
Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations
The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.
This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.
Concerning Incident Reports
The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving against the wrong direction during lane switching while operating the technology.
NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was later 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 found 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.
Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's intended actions as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.
Ongoing Official Examination
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 agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was deadly.
Manufacturer's Official Stance
The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.”
Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.
