🔗 Share this article US Regulators Begin Investigation into Autonomous Teslas After Series of Collisions US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after numerous accidents. Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations The federal safety agency declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”. This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety. Concerning Case Findings The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane switching while using the system. NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red signal and was later part of a crash with other cars in the intersection”. The agency noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants. Further Issues Identified The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the car's display”. Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the technology's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”. Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months. In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal. Company's Official Stance The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.” Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.