Summary
- A Tesla executive responded to a study claiming the company’s vehicles had the highest rate of fatal accidents
- Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering called the study "clickbait" and pointed out math errors in the calculations
- Tesla vehicles have been praised for safety, with the Model Y and Model 3 driving billions of miles with few fatalities
- The study analyzed data from the NHTSA and suggested a combination of driver behavior and driving conditions led to the high fatal accident rate
- Tesla has consistently focused on vehicle safety, receiving top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, and providing safety reports quarterly.
Article
A recent study by iSeeCars claimed that Tesla vehicles have the highest rate of fatal accidents compared to other automotive brands. The study specifically pointed out that the Model Y and Model S were among the most dangerous cars on the road. In response, Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy disputed these findings, calling iSeeCars “clickbait” and questioning the accuracy of their calculations. Moravy emphasized that Tesla vehicles are actually considered some of the safest on the road, with Model Y units having driven over 7 billion miles in the U.S. and the Model 3 around 19 billion miles.
The study analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for model year 2018 to 2022 vehicles with fatal accidents. While the overall fatal accident rate is 2.8 per billion miles, the study found that Tesla vehicles had a rate of 5.6 per billion miles. iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer noted that despite Tesla vehicles receiving excellent safety ratings, the high rate of fatal accidents could be attributed to a combination of driver behavior and driving conditions. Tesla has long focused on vehicle safety and has conducted various crash and safety tests to ensure the safety of its vehicles.
Tesla has received praise for its focus on vehicle safety, with its models consistently receiving high safety ratings from regulators like the NHTSA and IIHS. The Model Y, for example, has been awarded a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and has secured the Top Safety Pick Plus designation from IIHS each year since 2021. Tesla regularly provides updates on the safety of its vehicles through reports and has a dedicated web page focused on vehicle safety. Despite the controversy surrounding the study, Tesla remains committed to ensuring the safety of its vehicles and prioritizing safety in all aspects of its operations.
In light of the study’s findings, Tesla has responded by highlighting its commitment to safety and the positive safety record of its vehicles. The company has emphasized the importance of crash testing data and the real-world performance of its vehicles, noting that safety is always the top priority. Despite the discrepancies in the study’s calculations, Tesla continues to stand by the safety of its vehicles and is dedicated to improving safety measures and technologies in its vehicles. The response from Tesla’s executive serves as a reminder of the company’s ongoing efforts to uphold the highest safety standards in the automotive industry.
Tesla’s focus on vehicle safety extends beyond just crash testing results, with the company actively promoting safety features and technologies in its vehicles. The Model Y, like other Tesla models, is equipped with advanced safety systems designed to prevent accidents and protect occupants in the event of a crash. Tesla’s commitment to safety is evident in its continued efforts to improve vehicle safety standards and implement innovative safety technologies in its vehicles. Despite the challenges posed by the recent study, Tesla remains steadfast in its dedication to ensuring the safety of its vehicles and maintaining its reputation as a leader in automotive safety.
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