iSeeCars presents a captivating analysis of vehicle fatality rates using the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System and its own data on miles traveled. This leads to some astonishing and somewhat grim conclusions that shed light on various aspects of vehicle safety.

Uncover the Truth About Vehicle Fatality Rates

Basic Vehicle Safety Concepts Confirmed

The analysis reveals that in multi-vehicle crashes, the physics often favors larger vehicles. Small vehicles, sports cars, and some mainstream models tend to have higher fatality rates. This shows that certain vehicle characteristics and driver behavior play significant roles in crash outcomes. 2: For instance, the sheer number of mainstream vehicles on the road might contribute to their relatively higher fatality rates. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these basic safety concepts to improve overall road safety.

Tesla's Fatality Rate and Surprising Findings

iSeeCars pegs Tesla's fatality rate at 5.6 accidents per billion vehicle miles traveled. This only includes FARS data where at least one occupant died. It's an American automaker that exclusively builds EVs and has a controversial CEO. This discovery challenges our perceptions and prompts further exploration. 2: The fact that Tesla, a relatively new player in the automotive industry, has a higher fatality rate than some established brands raises questions about factors such as driver behavior and autonomous driving features.

Auto Industry's Slowest-Selling Cars and Fatality Rates

Kia comes in at a close second with 5.5 fatalities per billion miles, followed by Buick (4.8), Dodge (4.4), and Hyundai (3.9). The average rate for all brands is 2.8. iSeeCars speculates that driver behavior is the biggest contributor at the brand level rather than vehicle design or size. 2: This highlights the need for a focus on driver education and awareness to reduce fatality rates across different brands. It shows that even among slower-selling cars, there are differences in safety performance.

Autonomous Vehicles and Tesla's FSD Feature

Looking at the data of most dangerous cars, small SUVs and subcompact cars fare poorly. The Hyundai Venue tops the list at 13.9 fatalities per billion vehicle miles. Even some mainstream hybrid vehicles have rates above the national average. 2: It's difficult to explain why these vehicles, with their safety features and good crash test results, are on the list. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of autonomous driving features and the role of driver behavior.

Truck Category and Vehicle Size

Medium-size trucks like the Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, and Jeep Gladiator dominate the top five in terms of fatality rates. No full-size trucks made it onto the list, indicating that size does matter in the truck category. 2: This emphasizes the need for specific safety considerations and regulations for different truck sizes to ensure road safety.It's important to note that the iSeeCars report analyzed vehicle crashes between 2017 and 2022 and from model years 2018 to 2022. Vehicles out of production and low-volume vehicles were excluded.