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US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red light, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned actions as the car was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the car self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.