Tesla has some of the most advanced safety features on the market—but that hasn’t stopped its drivers from racking up the most accidents, DUIs, and traffic violations.
If you’re driving and see a Tesla in your rearview mirror, you might want to be extra cautious. According to a new study from LendingTree, Tesla drivers were ranked as the worst in the U.S. for 2024, surpassing Ram, which had held the top spot in previous years. The study analyzed 30 car brands based on insurance data, including accidents, DUIs, speeding tickets, and other traffic violations. The results weren’t great for Tesla owners.
The data shows that Tesla drivers had 36.94 reported incidents per 1,000 drivers, a significant increase from 31.13 in the previous year. Ram drivers followed closely behind with 33.92 incidents, while Subaru landed in third with 32.85 incidents per 1,000 drivers. These rankings were based on insurance claims and traffic violations, which suggest that certain brands might attract riskier driving behavior.
One possible reason for Tesla’s top ranking? Speed. The study noted that even the slowest Tesla, the standard Model 3, can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds, while the higher-performance versions can do it in 4.2 or even 3.1 seconds. This kind of instant power might be a bit too tempting for some drivers, leading to more reckless behavior on the road.
When it comes to accident rates, Tesla also led the pack with 26.67 crashes per 1,000 drivers, followed by Ram at 23.15 and Subaru at 22.89. These numbers suggest that it’s not just about getting pulled over for speeding—Tesla owners are also getting into more collisions.
The study also looked at DUI rates, and while Pontiac drivers took the top spot with 3.11 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, Tesla wasn’t far behind. BMW and Tesla drivers had the next highest DUI rates, adding to concerns about risky driving behavior.
Meanwhile, the brands with the best drivers were Mercury, Pontiac, and Cadillac. That might sound strange, considering Mercury and Pontiac have been discontinued for over a decade, but with fewer of these cars still on the road, their lower accident numbers might just be a result of lower overall traffic.
Another key takeaway from the study is how these rankings could affect insurance costs. Insurance experts warn that brands with a history of high incidents tend to have higher premiums, meaning Tesla owners could see increased rates over time. If accidents and traffic violations continue to rise, Tesla insurance could get even more expensive.
Of course, this study doesn’t mean that all Tesla drivers are bad drivers. It simply suggests that the combination of high-performance vehicles, advanced technology like Autopilot, and potentially overconfident drivers may be contributing to higher accident rates. Some experts have also pointed out that certain Tesla drivers might be relying too much on driver-assist systems, leading to inattentive driving.
At the end of the day, no matter what car you drive, staying alert and following the rules of the road is what really makes a difference. But if you see a Tesla zooming up behind you, maybe just let them pass.
