Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Tesla FSD Railway-Crossing Incident Renews Concerns Over Safety
A Tesla car was using a driving system called Full Self-Driving, or FSD.
The car stopped near a railway crossing where red lights were flashing.
An approaching freight train was about to pass.
The car then started moving toward the tracks.
The driver quickly pressed the brakes and stopped it.
The driver said the car could have been hit without the manual intervention.
Tesla had recently released an update intended to improve how FSD handles unusual situations.
The incident has renewed concerns and is part of wider scrutiny by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A Tesla using FSD v14.3.7 reportedly accelerated toward an active railway crossing.
The crossing had flashing red lights as an approaching freight train neared.
Auto journalist Lei Xing manually braked to prevent the car from entering the train’s path.
Tesla’s latest update was intended to improve responses to unusual objects and road situations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe after receiving about 58 FSD traffic-rule violation reports.
- Who
- A Tesla driver and auto journalist Lei Xing were involved in the reported incident; Tesla and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are connected to the wider issue.
- What
- A Tesla using FSD v14.3.7 reportedly accelerated toward an active railway crossing before the driver manually stopped it.
- When
- The incident was reported recently; the vehicle was said to be running FSD v14.3.7, released earlier this year.
- Where
- At an active railway crossing with flashing red lights, as a freight train approached.
- Why
- The vehicle reportedly accelerated despite the crossing signals and approaching train, raising concerns about FSD’s ability to handle railway crossings and unusual road situations.
- Reported software
- Tesla Full Self-Driving version 14.3.7
- Crossing conditions
- Flashing red lights and an approaching freight train were present.
- Manual intervention
- The driver took control and applied the brakes.
- Person who shared footage
- Auto journalist Lei Xing
- Update’s stated purpose
- Improving recognition of rare or unusual objects extending, hanging, or leaning into the vehicle’s path.
- Regulatory scrutiny
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a probe after about 58 reports of FSD violating traffic rules.