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US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, 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 represents the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong way during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's planned actions as the car was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, 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 technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.