Tesla drivers had highest accident charge, BMW drivers most DUIs: research

Tesla drivers within the U.S. have been concerned in accidents at the next charge than drivers of every other model of car over the previous yr, in accordance with a brand new research of 30 automotive manufacturers by LendingTree.

The researchers analyzed quotes from folks seeking to insure their very own autos, and didn’t embody accident or incident information involving drivers of rental vehicles, a spokesperson for LendingTree informed CNBC by e-mail on Tuesday.

The research stated, “It’s hard to nail down why certain brands may have higher accident rates than others. However, there are indications that certain types of vehicles attract riskier drivers than others.”

With 24 accidents per 1,000 drivers through the interval from mid-November 2022 to mid-November 2023, Tesla drivers clocked in with the worst accident charge within the U.S., adopted by Ram drivers who have been concerned in about 23 accidents, and Subaru drivers who have been concerned in about 21 accidents per 1,000 drivers through the yr.

Against this, drivers of Pontiac, Mercury and Saturn autos have been all concerned in fewer than 10 accidents per 1,000 drivers through the interval of the research.

BMW drivers have been the more than likely to have interaction in driving below the affect, the researchers discovered. They have been concerned in about 3 DUIs per 1,000 drivers in a yr, about twice the speed of DUIs amongst Ram drivers, who have been the second worst drivers on this regard.

For driving incidents general, which included not solely accidents but additionally DUIs, dashing, and different citations, Ram drivers had the best incident charge, whereas Tesla drivers had the second-highest incident charge within the U.S.

Accidents, DUIs, dashing and different citations can all result in greater insurance coverage charges for drivers. Lending Tree discovered that one dashing ticket can bump up the worth of car insurance coverage by 10% to twenty%, accidents can improve charges by round 40%, whereas DUIs can result in a charge improve of 60% or extra.

The Lending Tree findings about drivers with the best charges of accidents and incidents by automobile model adopted an Autopilot software recall by Tesla within the U.S. that impacts some 2 million of the corporate’s electrical autos.

Tesla EVs come commonplace with a sophisticated driver help system (ADAS) marketed as Autopilot. The corporate sells extra in depth driver help packages known as Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (or FSD) choices within the U.S. as nicely. Those that pay for FSD may also take a look at software program options that aren’t totally debugged but on public roads.

Tesla’s ADAS expertise is supposed to assist drivers with steering, acceleration and braking. CEO Elon Musk claimed in 2021 {that a} Tesla driver utilizing Autopilot was about 10 occasions much less more likely to crash than a driver of the common automobile. Whereas Tesla publishes its personal security stories, the corporate has not allowed third-party researchers to judge their information to substantiate or debunk such claims.

Musk has additionally touted Tesla’s programs as if they’re already, or will quickly be, secure to make use of hands-free — but Autopilot and Full Self-Driving programs nonetheless require Tesla drivers to stay attentive to the street and able to steer or brake in response always.

A two-year investigation by the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (or NHTSA) discovered that Tesla’s Autosteer function, which is a part of Autopilot and FSD, had security defects which will trigger an “increased risk of a collision.” NHTSA stated it discovered that Tesla drivers can too simply misuse the vehicles’ Autosteer function and should not even know whether or not it’s engaged or switched off.

In keeping with filings with the federal automobile security regulator, Tesla didn’t concur with NHTSA’s findings however agreed to conduct a voluntary software program recall, and promised to make security enhancements to Autosteer with “over-the-air” updates. The up to date software program will nag drivers to concentrate to the street extra typically, and lock drivers out of utilizing Autopilot if Tesla’s programs detect irresponsible use.

Tesla didn’t reply to a request for remark in regards to the Lending Tree research and why the accident and incident charges could have been so excessive amongst Tesla drivers within the U.S. over the previous yr.

Learn the complete Lending Tree study of one of the best and worst drivers within the U.S. by auto model, right here.