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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is raising its ongoing investigation into the operation of Tesla’s autopilot feature.
The agency has been studying how the partially automated feature responds to roadside emergency vehicles after several collisions with Tesla vehicles using traffic-conscious autopilot and cruise control systems.
The probe has now undergone an engineering analysis, which is the next step in an investigation that could lead to a withdrawal.
A final decision could come in a year, the Associated Press reported.
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NHTSA is investigating several Tesla crashes that occurred while the autopilot system was on. (Tesla)
NHTSA is investigating 14 accidents that resulted in one death and 15 injuries, plus two more incidents reported by Tesla.
Autopilot can drive a vehicle in a freeway lane and control its speed. (Tesla)
Tesla updated the Autopilot software last year to improve its ability to detect emergency lights in low light conditions, but did not officially issue a withdrawal.
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All new Tesla vehicles are equipped with autopilot. (Tesla)
The agency said the analysis “will explore the extent to which autopilot and associated Tesla systems can aggravate human factors or behavioral safety risks that undermine the effectiveness of driver supervision.
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More than 830,000 Tesla vehicles built since 2014 are potentially affected by any action taken by NHTSA.
Gary Gastelu is FoxNews.com’s automotive editor covering the automotive and racing industry @foxnewsautos