Tesla has been identified as having the highest rate of fatal accidents among all car brands in the US. The research, based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, focused on crashes involving 2018 to 2022 model-year cars with at least one occupant’s death.
The analysis found that Tesla vehicles, especially the Model Y, had a fatal accident rate of about 5.6 per billion miles driven. This rate is significantly higher than the industry average.
The study suggests that advanced safety features, like improved chassis design and airbags, have enhanced overall safety. However, it highlights growing concerns about distracted driving and excessive speed. These factors, along with misleading marketing of Tesla’s driver assistance systems, particularly Full Self-Driving mode, may have contributed to the increased accident rates.
The study emphasizes that Tesla’s driver assistance systems are not fully autonomous and require constant driver attention. However, the suggestive names of these systems can easily mislead drivers into a false sense of security. Additionally, Tesla’s reliance on large touchscreens for vehicle controls can distract drivers, further increasing the risk of accidents.
In conclusion, although Tesla equips its vehicles with advanced safety features, distracted driving, excessive speed, and misleading marketing of driver assistance systems have led to a higher rate of fatal accidents compared to other car brands.It is crucial for drivers to remain vigilant, avoid distractions, and use driver assistance systems responsibly to ensure road safety.
Reference- iSeeCars study, Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Futurism, The Verge, Inside EVs