Imagine cruising down the highway in a car that promises to drive itself, only to find out it's been breaking traffic laws and causing accidents—scary stuff, right? That's the heart of the latest drama unfolding with Tesla's self-driving tech, and it's got regulators on high alert. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this cutting-edge innovation worth the risks, or is it putting lives in danger? Let's dive in and unpack this story step by step, so even if you're new to the world of autonomous vehicles, you'll get the full picture.
American automotive safety officials have kicked off a formal probe into Tesla's lineup of cars fitted with its advanced full self-driving (FSD) system, following a string of incidents where the technology allegedly led to violations of road safety rules and resulted in crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the key federal body overseeing vehicle safety, announced that Tesla's driver-assistance feature—which still demands that the person behind the wheel stays alert and ready to step in—has prompted behaviors in the vehicles that defy traffic laws.
This initial assessment marks the starting point in a process that could lead to a widespread recall if the NHTSA determines the cars present a serious threat to public safety. To put it simply, a recall means Tesla might have to fix or update the software in millions of vehicles to prevent further issues, much like how a faulty airbag could lead to a massive fix across an entire model line.
According to the agency, they've gathered data on nearly 2.9 million Tesla models that ran red lights or switched lanes in the wrong direction while the FSD system was active. Digging deeper, the NHTSA highlighted six specific incidents where a Tesla with FSD enabled barreled through an intersection against a red signal, colliding with other cars in the process. Tragically, four of these accidents caused injuries to one or more people. Tesla hasn't yet issued a statement in response to inquiries from Reuters.
Beyond that, the NHTSA has logged 18 consumer complaints plus one media account claiming that Teslas using FSD at intersections either didn't halt completely at red lights, failed to stop at all, or incorrectly showed the traffic signal status on the car's display. Some users even reported that the system gave no alerts about its planned actions as it neared a red light, leaving drivers in the dark about what was happening.
For beginners wondering what FSD really is, think of it as Tesla's most sophisticated driving aid—far beyond its basic Autopilot mode. It's designed to handle complex tasks like navigating city streets, but crucially, it still requires a human driver to supervise and take control if things go awry. Tesla's own site emphasizes this, stating that FSD is meant for attentive operators who keep their hands on the wheel and are always prepared to intervene. While the company aims to improve it over time, it stresses that current versions don't make the car fully autonomous, meaning it's not ready to drive without human oversight.
This isn't Tesla's first rodeo with regulatory scrutiny. The NHTSA has been examining FSD for about a year now. Back in October 2024, they launched an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the system after reports of four collisions in challenging visibility conditions, such as bright sunlight, mist, or dust in the air. One of these, from 2023, sadly ended in a fatality.
And this is the part most people miss: While Tesla touts FSD as a game-changer for safer, more efficient travel, critics argue it might be creating new dangers by lulling drivers into complacency. Is the tech evolving faster than our ability to regulate it, or should we hit the brakes on such ambitious features until they're truly foolproof? What do you think—does the promise of hands-free driving outweigh the potential for misuse and accidents? Share your thoughts in the comments below; we'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own take on this heated debate.
Reuters played a role in reporting this story.
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