Tesla's full self-driving' faces another federal safety probe

"US auto safety regulators are investigating Tesla Inc. over incidents in which its vehicles drove through red lights and violated other traffic laws while using the company's partial-automation software. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it's aware of 58 incidents including instances in which Teslas drove in the wrong direction on a road that involved the driver-assistance system marketed as Full Self-Driving. The so-called preliminary evaluation involves an estimated 2.9 million vehicles, according to a filing posted on the agency's website."

"The system known as FSD is central to Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk's longstanding effort to develop driverless cars. While drivers are required to constantly supervise when the system is in use, Musk has predicted that drivers in certain states will soon no longer need to pay attention when FSD is engaged. Tesla shares fell 1.4% as of 8:02 a.m. before regular trading in New York. The stock gained about 9% this year through Wednesday's close."

"Several of the incidents cited in the new probe resulted in crashes and injuries, NHTSA said. None of the incidents in the scope of its current investigation involve a fatality. The regulator said it had identified six reports where a Tesla vehicle with FSD engaged approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other vehicles. Multiple incidents occurred at the same intersection in Maryland."

NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation after identifying 58 incidents where Tesla vehicles using Full Self-Driving and partial-automation features ran red lights, drove the wrong way, or violated other traffic laws. The probe covers an estimated 2.9 million vehicles and follows other inquiries into Tesla's doors, Autopilot features, and crash reporting. Several incidents led to crashes and injuries, though none involved fatalities; the agency identified six reports of Teslas entering intersections on red, with multiple events at the same Maryland intersection. Drivers are required to supervise FSD even as company leadership has suggested reduced attention may be allowed in some states.

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