Tennessee drivers might be familiar with the newest driver-assist technology that’s found in some newer cars. While car companies like Tesla have made a huge profit off the new feature, the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates the feature might not be as safe as you think.
New driver assist features
The newest cars on the road have several features that are supposed to make driving safer. This can be things like a blind spot warning system that kicks into gear when switching lanes or an auto-braking system to prevent front collisions. Tesla on the other hand has a full autopilot system that lets the car drive itself.
Self-driving safety statistics
Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started collecting data about car accidents involving self-driving cars or driver-assisted vehicles. The data, released for the first time in October 2022, reported that there were nearly 400 crashes that involved self-driving or advanced driver-assist systems. The data also showed that:
- Teslas were involved in 273 of the 392 reported accidents.
- Honda reported 90 accidents while Subaru reported 10.
- Ford Motor reported 5 accidents involving advanced driver assist systems.
- Toyota reported 4 accidents, BMW reported 3, and General Motors reported 2.
Worries about advanced driver-assist systems
The NHTSA admits some of this research might be skewed – of course, Tesla would have the most accidents because they have the most self-driving cars on the road. However, Tesla also releases beta versions of its technology before it’s completely ready.
Driver-assist technology is meant to help drivers–not replace drivers. Regardless of what features the car has, drivers are still held responsible for any accidents or damage they cause.