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American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Violations

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the authority started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not make the car autonomous.”

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