The numbers don’t lie… A recent study ranked car brands by driver behavior, and the results might surprise you
A recent American study has ranked car brands based on the driving behavior of their owners, and the results are bound to surprise more than a few people. Some brands, known for their advanced technology, are at the top of the list for being involved in the most driving incidents. But should we blame the cars themselves or the drivers behind the wheel? Keep in mind, this data is based on American roads…
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Tesla, Ram, and Subaru lead in traffic violations
According to data collected by an insurance analytics company, Tesla, Ram, and Subaru owners are the most likely to be involved in accidents or traffic infractions. On average, for every 1,000 drivers, Tesla reports 36.94 incidents—a sharp increase compared to last year. Ram and Subaru closely follow with similarly concerning numbers. This immediately raises the question: why these brands in particular?
In Tesla’s case, part of the explanation could lie in the overconfidence some drivers place in its assisted driving system. While Autopilot is designed to assist drivers, it is not fully autonomous. Yet, some users tend to rely too heavily on it, which can lead to dangerous situations. For Ram, a brand known for its large pickups, the risk factor might be more related to driver behavior. These trucks are often associated with aggressive driving or off-road use, naturally increasing the likelihood of incidents.
German brands aren’t spared either
Looking at European manufacturers, Audi, Volkswagen, and BMW drivers also rank high on the list of “problematic” motorists. Audi comes in fourth place with an incident rate of 32.23 per 1,000 drivers, followed by Volkswagen (31.56) and BMW (30.43). German vehicles are often associated with high performance and dynamic driving. It’s no surprise, then, to see them featured in this study, as their owners tend to take full advantage of their cars’ capabilities. Additionally, these brands are particularly popular among younger drivers, who statistically have a higher chance of being involved in traffic violations. However, Mercedes and Porsche fare much better. Despite their strong market presence, Mercedes has a much lower incident rate, while Porsche doesn’t even appear in the ranking—likely because there are fewer of them on the roads.
Is it really about the brand or the driver?
Studies like this always have limitations. Can we really say that a car brand encourages bad driving? Not necessarily. It’s more likely that certain types of drivers are drawn to specific brands, which could skew the results. For example, Tesla’s powerful electric cars often attract tech-savvy performance enthusiasts, which might explain a certain lack of caution behind the wheel. On the other hand, some brands show significantly lower incident rates. In the U.S., Cadillac, Pontiac, and Mercury owners seem to drive more cautiously, with accident numbers far lower than those at the top of the ranking. This could be because these vehicles are often driven by older motorists or those with a more relaxed driving style that isn’t performance-focused.
This article explores how a recent American study highlights differences in driver behavior based on car brands. Tesla, Ram, and Subaru have some of the highest accident rates, while brands like Cadillac and Pontiac appear to have more cautious drivers. Rather than a simple issue of branding, the study raises questions about driving styles and how in-car technology influences driver behavior.
Source: Lendingtree
Image: © Tesla / © Mercedes-Benz
