A new analysis of federal safety data reveals that Tesla vehicles have the highest rate of involvement in fatal accidents compared to all other car brands, challenging CEO Elon Musk's claims about Tesla being the "safest cars on the road."
The study, conducted by automotive search engine iSeeCars using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System, places Tesla at the top of fatal accident rates among all car manufacturers, followed by Kia, Buick, Dodge, and Hyundai.
However, researchers note that these statistics may reflect driver behavior rather than vehicle design flaws. "The biggest contributor to occupant safety is avoiding a crash, and the biggest factor in crash avoidance is driver behavior," explained Karl Brauer, iSeeCars Executive Analyst.
This finding adds to a complex picture of Tesla's safety record. A contrasting report by EpicVIN in August suggested Tesla drivers were least likely to suffer fatal injuries in crashes. If both studies are accurate, this could indicate that while Tesla vehicles are more frequently involved in fatal accidents, their occupants have better survival rates.
Additional research from Lending Tree in December 2023 supports the high crash rate finding, reporting that Tesla drivers experienced 23.54 accidents per 1,000 drivers - the highest among all brands. Only Ram and Subaru recorded more than 20 accidents per 1,000 drivers.
Tesla's Autopilot system has drawn particular scrutiny. NHTSA data showed that Tesla vehicles accounted for 70% of crashes involving driver-assist systems in a recent twelve-month period. A Washington Post analysis found that since 2019, Tesla's Autopilot has been linked to 17 fatalities and up to 736 crashes.
The NHTSA and Department of Justice are currently conducting investigations into Tesla's safety practices and technology. These findings raise questions about the relationship between advanced driver assistance systems, driver behavior, and overall vehicle safety.
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