2.9 Million Tesla Cars Under Investigation: Self-Driving Mode Accidents Raise Concerns

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated another investigation into Tesla's self-driving technology. This follows reports of Tesla vehicles running red lights or driving on the wrong side, sometimes resulting in crashes and injuries. The probe focuses on 58 incidents where Tesla cars allegedly violated traffic laws while using the Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode.

In these incidents, more than a dozen crashes and fires occurred, leading to nearly two dozen injuries. The investigation will cover all 2.9 million Tesla vehicles. Many drivers involved in these accidents reported that their cars did not warn them of any unexpected behaviour.

Focus on Intersections and Railway Crossings

The NHTSA stated that the problematic behaviours often occur at intersections but will also investigate other scenarios. These include situations like driving next to opposing traffic lanes or approaching railway crossings. According to NCB News, Tesla's FSD software frequently fails at railway crossings, ignoring flashing red lights and lowered gate arms.

Tesla is already under scrutiny for several other issues. Earlier this year, NHTSA began investigating a "summon" feature that allows cars to drive themselves to their owners' locations. This was after reports of minor accidents in parking lots.

Previous Investigations and Legal Challenges

In August, another probe was launched into Tesla's failure to report crashes promptly as required by law. That same month, a Miami jury held Tesla partly responsible for a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system, which differs from FSD. The jury awarded over $240 million in damages to the victims, a decision Tesla plans to appeal.

The FSD system under investigation is classified as Level 2 driver-assistance software. It requires drivers to remain attentive at all times. A new version of this software was released earlier this week. Additionally, Tesla is testing an advanced version that aims to eliminate the need for driver intervention, a goal Elon Musk has long promised.

This ongoing scrutiny highlights the challenges faced by autonomous vehicle technology in ensuring safety and compliance with traffic laws. As investigations continue, the focus remains on improving these systems for safer roads.