Are luxury car drivers involved in more accidents?

Driving a car is more than a way to get from home to work and back again. The car you drive sends a message about who you are and what you think is important.

With ever-changing technology to support vehicle safety, your car may be equipped to keep you safer, but there could be evidence that the higher the price tag, the more likely you will be in a collision.

Here’s what the statistics say about the cars that are more likely to be in an accident.

Need for speed

As you drive down the highway, it is no surprise that some people purchase a car based on how fast it goes. For those who watch high-end vehicles speed by with a hint of judgment, the assumption they will crash is not entirely misplaced.

A recent study shows that luxury cars are more likely to be involved in speed-related crashes. Some of the top manufacturers, including:

• Infiniti
• Mercedes-Benz
• Lexus

Drivers of these vehicles tend to get out on the road and test the limits of their cars. In some cases, features such as reduced engine noise may be why drivers find it easy for their speed to climb higher than they planned.

Reckless driving

In addition to driving fast, the statistics show that luxury car drivers tend not to be careful, as well. Brands like Lexus and Audi were among the highest when it came to at-fault collision claims.

In another study, psychologists observed that people who drive a car with a hefty price tag are more likely to drive with their own self-interest in mind than be careful of the drivers around them.

As you are driving, however, it is essential to pay attention to every driver around you, not just those in high-end vehicles. While the statistics show what tends to happen, any driver could be cautious or careless regardless of the car’s cost.