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US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following numerous crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving engaged, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

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

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.