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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following several crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the authority started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

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