Tesla Model Y has been crowned one of the safest vehicles on Earth, thanks to near-perfect results in crash-worthiness tests. This has also been verified in the real world in countless accidents where Tesla’s high safety measures helped protect passengers in the vehicle. A recent crash turned a Tesla Model Y into a pile of twisted metal and yet, its driver survived to tell the story.
Not everyone buying a new vehicle considers safety at the top of their feature list. Still, accidents do happen, and often with tragic consequences. A recent NHTSA statistic revealed that more than 9,000 Americans lost their lives in a traffic crash in the first three months of 2023 alone, which is a terrifying figure. This is why thoughtful people choose a vehicle that not only has the features they want but also offers the utmost protection in case of a crash. Better still, a vehicle that can prevent an accident from happening in the first place.
Unfortunately, not all crashes can be prevented by the car’s safety assistance systems, such as Automatic Emergency Braking. When the worst happens, your life depends on how well the vehicle withstands the crash’s forces. Electric cars have a big advantage with a larger crumple zone due to the lack of an engine in the front. Still, without sophisticated crash-protection systems, from carefully designed crumple zones to efficient restraint systems, the car’s weight is not enough to save you. Thankfully, a Tesla Model Y is designed and built to protect its passengers in the most horrific crashes.
One Model Y owner will forever be indebted to Tesla for designing such a safe vehicle. Nobody seeing the pictures he shared on Facebook can imagine this was a survivable crash. According to a Facebook post by Paul M, which was shared on X (Twitter) by TeslaNorth, the accident happened after a commercial truck side-swiped his Tesla and pushed it into a group of trees. The truck then struck it from behind in a secondary impact that proved even more devastating than hitting the trees.
Paul didn’t lose consciousness during the crash and was able to pull himself out of the passenger window. Thanks to the protection his Tesla Model Y offered, he is now recovering in a hospital. Paul was told by the police that being in the Tesla saved his life. If the car had a front engine, it would have likely crushed him.
Tesla models have always been awarded the highest scores in crashworthiness tests conducted by safety agencies such as the NHTSA, Euro NCAP, and other new-car assessment agencies across the globe. The Model Y especially has been appreciated for its passive protection, increasing the survivability rate in case of a crash.
It also features one of the most advanced active safety systems, being able to intervene faster than the driver to prevent a crash. We’ve all seen many videos on social media showing Tesla reacting to dangerous traffic situations, saving the day before the human driver even realized something was off.
Paul’s crash echoes another horrific accident involving a Tesla Model Y that fell 250 feet off a cliff. Although badly damaged, the Model Y saved the lives of its passengers. This was another high-profile crash that showcased Tesla’s commitment to safety through engineering (video).
We wish Paul and his family the best as he recovers from this accident.
