Tesla is under scrutiny by the US government following reports that its self-driving vehicles have allegedly violated traffic laws, including instances of driving on the wrong side of the road and failing to stop at red lights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified 58 such incidents in a recent filing, prompting a preliminary evaluation of Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving (Supervised)’ mode. This advanced feature, which requires an additional fee, allows vehicles to perform lane changes and turns autonomously, though drivers are expected to remain vigilant and ready to intervene. Approximately 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with this technology are now part of the investigation. The NHTSA report highlights six crashes caused by vehicles stopping at red lights before proceeding prematurely, four of which resulted in injuries. Tesla has reportedly taken corrective measures to address recurring issues at a specific intersection in Maryland. Additionally, the agency is examining reports of vehicles entering opposite lanes during turns, with some incidents offering drivers minimal time to react. This probe adds to Tesla’s existing investigation concerning door-locking mechanisms in Model Y vehicles, where children were allegedly trapped inside, leading some owners to break windows for rescue. Amid these challenges, Tesla has introduced more affordable versions of its popular models to compete with cost-effective electric vehicles, particularly those manufactured by Chinese companies. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO and former ally of President Donald Trump, recently launched the America Party, aiming to challenge the dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties. For more updates on global tech developments, subscribe to the Tech Decoded newsletter.
Tesla investigated over self-driving cars driving on wrong side of road
