Tesla vehicles feature in a higher number of deadly crashes than any other automobile manufacturer, according to recent research.
Tesla, the electric vehicle giant, has found itself at the centre of an ongoing federal investigation regarding the safety of its Autopilot software. The investigation, officially titled 'In re Tesla Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Litigation,' is being conducted by the US District Court for the Northern District of California under case number 22-05240.
The current investigation focuses on crashes and whether the Autopilot system functions safely without adequate driver intervention. This comes after a report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in April 2022 claimed that Tesla's Autopilot function had a 'critical safety gap' linked to hundreds of crashes.
According to an analysis by iSeeCars, Tesla has the highest rate of involvement with fatal accidents of any car brand. This claim is supported by a study by Lending Tree in December 2023, which found that Tesla drivers had the highest crash rate of any brand. However, it's important to note that the report does not independently verify the findings of the iSeeCars analysis.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has maintained that Tesla's vehicles are the 'safest cars on the road.' This statement contrasts with the findings of the NHTSA, which reported that Tesla accounted for 70% of car crashes involving driver-assist systems in a report published in 2022.
The analysis suggests that the high fatal accident rates for Tesla may be due to driver behavior rather than vehicle design. Karl Brauer, iSeeCars Executive Analyst, stated that the biggest contributor to occupant safety is avoiding a crash. He emphasised that a focused, alert driver is the most likely to avoid crashes, regardless of the TSLA they are driving.
The investigation into Tesla's Autopilot safety is not the only scrutiny the company is facing. Elon Musk has recently taken on a new role as a federal bureaucrat at a 'government efficiency' 'agency,' which may complicate ongoing investigations into Tesla. Additionally, the NHTSA and the Department of Justice are currently investigating Tesla.
As the investigation continues, both Tesla and the NHTSA have been contacted for comment on the analysis. The results of the investigation will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of autonomous driving technology and the safety standards expected of automakers.
In the meantime, drivers are reminded to remain vigilant and attentive while using any form of driver-assist technology, as it is designed to assist, not replace, human drivers.
