Tesla has recently resumed the release of its Autopilot safety data report, following a hiatus of more than a year.

Historically, Tesla published a “Vehicle Safety Report” that monitored the frequency of accidents in its vehicles, categorized by the level of Autopilot usage, and compared these metrics to the industry average. This report was a key tool for Tesla, showcasing that its Autopilot technology contributed to a significantly safer driving experience. According to the data, Tesla vehicles, even without Autopilot, had fewer accidents compared to the average car in the US.

Despite its usefulness, the data faced criticism for its limitations. It did not account for the fact that accidents are more frequent on city roads and undivided roads than on highways, where Autopilot is predominantly used. Nonetheless, the report was valuable for tracking the safety progress of Tesla’s vehicles.

The release of this data was unexpectedly halted after Q4 2022, with no explanation from Tesla at the time. This gap left many stakeholders and industry observers curious about the reasons behind the sudden discontinuation.

Now, Tesla has chosen to release the data, over a year later, starting with the Q1 2023 report. This data reveals a notable decrease in miles driven between accidents compared to the same period the previous year, which might have influenced Tesla’s decision to pause the data release initially. 

Tesla’s latest data for Q1 2024 indicates a significant improvement in Autopilot performance:

“In the 1st quarter, we recorded one crash for every 7.63 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology. For drivers who were not using Autopilot technology, we recorded one crash for every 955,000 miles driven. By comparison, the most recent data available from NHTSA and FHWA (from 2022) shows that in the United States there was an automobile crash approximately every 670,000 miles.”

This report highlights a substantial enhancement in safety when comparing Autopilot usage to both non-Autopilot driving and the national average. It’s important to compare the data year-over-year rather than quarter-over-quarter due to seasonal variations impacting accident rates.

Tesla’s commitment to transparency with the resumption of its safety reports underscores its dedication to improving vehicle safety through continuous innovation in Autopilot technology. The latest data not only reflects the advancements made but also reinstates confidence in Tesla’s approach to enhancing road safety.

Source: Electrek