Teslas are deadliest road vehicles despite safety features: study | The Express Tribune

Despite Tesla’s claims of manufacturing the "safest cars on the road," recent data from auto research firm iSeeCars paints a different picture.

According to an analysis of fatal crashes from 2017 to 2022 involving 2018-2022 models, Tesla's vehicles have the highest fatality rate among all car brands.

Specifically, the Tesla Model S and Model Y ranked among the most dangerous cars on the road, with the Model S exhibiting a fatal accident rate 3.7 times higher than the average car and 4.8 times higher than the average SUV.

Tesla, known for its advanced driver-assist systems such as Autopilot and Full-Self Driving (FSD), continues to promote its vehicles as cutting-edge, safety-conscious cars.

However, the report from iSeeCars highlighted that the brand’s fatal accident rate—5.6 fatal crashes per billion miles Traveled—was higher than other manufacturers, including Kia, which had a rate of 5.5 per billion miles.

Despite Tesla's safety features, which include automated lane-changing and cruise control, the elevated fatality rate is concerning, with critics pointing out that the advanced systems may be creating a false sense of security among drivers.

The study suggests that while modern vehicles, including Teslas, generally perform well in crash tests and offer excellent safety ratings, the higher fatality rates could be linked to driver behavior and road conditions.

Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD, in particular, have faced scrutiny, with accidents involving these systems triggering investigations by the NHTSA and the Department of Justice, as many drivers assume their vehicles can drive autonomously, leading to complacency or distraction when manual control is needed.

Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has long promised that fully autonomous vehicles, such as the upcoming "Robotaxi," will soon be a reality. However, Tesla’s current track record with advanced driver-assist systems indicates that the road to complete autonomy might still have significant hurdles to overcome.

In conclusion, while Tesla vehicles are equipped with advanced safety features, the company’s high fatality rate suggests that human error, rather than technology, remains a key factor in road accidents.

Despite the brand’s promise of safer, autonomous vehicles, the current reality shows that driver responsibility is still critical in preventing accidents.