Tesla drivers had the greatest rate of mishaps amid the period from mid-November 2022 to mid-November 2023, as per a report from Lending Tree, moderately higher than those of Ram and Subaru drivers. The study also revealed that BMW drivers recorded the most driving under the influence (DUI) offenses at a rate of three infractions per 1,000 drivers, more than double the rate of DUIs among Ram drivers, who had the second-highest rate. Facing ramifications such as increased insurance premiums, drivers should be conscious of driving safely and refrain from violations.
A recent study by LendingTree of 30 automotive brands found that Tesla drivers in the U.S. had the highest rate of accidents in the past year, with 24 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Ram drivers were a close second at 23 incidents per 1,000, while Subaru drivers had 21 accidents per 1,000. By contrast, drivers of Pontiac, Mercury, and Saturn vehicles were all involved in fewer than 10 accidents per 1,000 drivers during the same period. Additionally, the study found that BMW drivers were the most likely to receive DUIs at a rate of three incidents per 1,000 drivers. In terms of driving incidents overall, Ram drivers had the highest rate, followed by Tesla in second place.
The researchers found that tickets for speeding, accidents, or DUIs can all lead to higher insurance rates for drivers. A single speeding ticket can increase rates by 10-20%, while an accident can increase costs by around 40%. DUIs lead to an even higher rate increase of 60% or more.
The study's findings about driver habits come shortly after Tesla's recall of Autopilot software in the U.S. affecting 2 million of its electric vehicles. CEO Elon Musk had previously claimed that using Autopilot was about 10 times less likely to cause a collision than the average car. But without data from third-party researchers, this claim cannot be verified.
Tesla did not respond to requests for comment about the Lending Tree study and why the accident and incident rates were so high for Tesla drivers in the U.S. during the past year. Read the full Lending Tree study of the best and worst drivers in the U.S. by auto brand, here.
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