Examining the Frequency and Severity of Traffic Law Violations by Tesla's Full Self Driving Feature

US federal regulators have initiated yet another investigation into Tesla's Full Self Driving, or FSD, feature following dozens of reported incidents where vehicles allegedly violated traffic laws, including driving on the wrong side of the road and running red lights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, announced a preliminary evaluation into 58 incidents that involved Tesla vehicles using the Level 2 driver assistance software, which led to a number of crashes and injuries. This new probe covers approximately 2.9 million vehicles, essentially every Tesla equipped with the Full Self Driving technology.

The primary concern for the safety regulator stems from reports of the FSD system exhibiting dangerous behavior, particularly at intersections. According to the NHTSA filing, there are reports of Teslas failing to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, failing to stop fully, or continuing into an intersection against a red signal, sometimes resulting in collisions with other motor vehicles. Furthermore, some reports detail vehicles driving against the proper direction of travel during a lane change, which is a major traffic safety violation. Drivers involved in these accidents reportedly claimed their cars gave them no warning about the unexpected and unlawful behavior.

This investigation is the latest in a series of open probes by the NHTSA concerning Tesla's driver assistance technologies. The agency previously launched an investigation into Autopilot after multiple crashes involving stationary emergency vehicles and another into the "Summon" feature. The new probe adds to the intense scrutiny on the safety and naming of Tesla's technology, which the company stresses still requires a fully attentive driver ready to intervene at all times, despite the "Full Self Driving" name. The current regulatory evaluation is the first step that could potentially lead to the NHTSA demanding a recall if the vehicles are found to pose an unreasonable safety risk.

The timing of the probe comes as Tesla is under increased pressure to demonstrate the safety and reliability of its self driving technology, which is a key part of its future strategy. The company recently released a new version of the FSD software and is simultaneously developing a more advanced, fully autonomous version. The ongoing regulatory oversight and public safety concerns highlight the significant challenges facing the widespread deployment of advanced driver assistance systems and the delicate balance between innovation and public safety on roadways.