The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, examining its safety under reduced visibility conditions, including fog and glaring sunlight. The probe follows a fatal collision in which a Tesla using FSD struck a pedestrian, as well as other incidents in similar conditions.
The NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation will focus on the system’s ability to detect and respond to reduced roadway visibility. It will assess whether other crashes have occurred under similar conditions and determine the contributing factors.
The agency will also review Tesla’s over-the-air software updates to FSD, marketed as “Full Self-Driving (Supervised),” to evaluate their timing, purpose, and safety impact.
The investigation covers approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles, including the Model S, X, 3, Y, and Cybertruck produced between 2016 and 2024. Tesla has previously offered its FSD system, a paid driver assistance feature, in a free trial to U.S. drivers.
The NHTSA tracks incidents involving advanced driver assistance systems like Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD. As of October 1, 2024, the agency had recorded 1,399 Tesla-related collisions where these systems were engaged within 30 seconds of the crash, including 31 fatal accidents.
FSD Collisions in Reduced R… by Andy Williams
