Fact Check: "544 driverless car crashes reported last year; this year already surpasses half!"
What We Know
The claim states that there were 544 driverless car crashes reported last year, and that this year has already surpassed half of that number. According to a report by FinanceBuzz, the number of self-driving car accidents nearly doubled in 2024, with 544 reported crashes compared to 288 in 2023 (FinanceBuzz). This indicates that the figure of 544 is accurate for the year 2024.
However, the claim about this year surpassing half of that number is less clear. The data does not specify how many crashes have occurred in the current year (2025) up to the present date, making it impossible to verify whether the claim of surpassing half of 544 is true or not.
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that from July 2021 to May 2022, there were 392 crashes involving automated technology, with 273 of those involving Teslas (NPR). This data is from a different time frame and does not directly correlate with the claim about the 544 crashes.
Analysis
The claim is partially true based on the statistics provided. The figure of 544 crashes for the year 2024 is supported by credible data from FinanceBuzz, which compiles statistics from various reputable sources, including the NHTSA (FinanceBuzz). However, the assertion that this year has already surpassed half of that number lacks supporting evidence. Without current data for 2025, we cannot confirm whether the number of crashes has indeed exceeded 272 (half of 544).
Moreover, the NHTSA's report indicates that 392 crashes were reported in a previous timeframe, which suggests that the context of the claim might be misleading. The NHTSA also cautioned against using their numbers to compare automakers directly, as the data does not account for the number of vehicles or miles driven, which is critical for understanding the crash rates (NPR).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they come from established organizations and publications. However, the lack of comprehensive data for 2025 raises questions about the accuracy of the claim regarding current crash statistics.
Conclusion
The verdict is Partially True. The claim accurately states that there were 544 driverless car crashes reported in 2024; however, it cannot be confirmed that this year has already surpassed half of that number due to the absence of specific crash data for 2025. Therefore, while part of the claim holds true, the assertion regarding current year statistics remains unverified.
