American Authorities Initiate Probe into Self-Driving Tesla Vehicles Following String of Crashes
US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several collisions.
Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches
The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.
This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they present a danger to public safety.
Alarming Case Findings
The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane switching while operating the system.
NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving engaged, “approached 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 junction”.
The agency noted that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.
Additional Safety Concerns
The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the car's display”.
Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended actions as the car was approaching a red light”.
Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny
Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced 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 equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.
Company's Stated Position
The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle self-driving.”
Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.
