Tesla Model 3 crashes head-on into traffic light pole, shows crumple zone capacity

As Tesla starts rolling out more Model 3 vehicles on the road, we are learning more from owners about the automaker’s latest electric car, but we have yet to learn a lot about the vehicle’s safety, which has been an important selling point for Tesla’s Model S and Model X.

We have yet to see crash test results from third-parties, but the first few Model 3 crashes are giving us some insight into the vehicle’s level of safety.

Last month, we reported on two crashes, but they were fairly minor accidents.

Last week, we also reported on a more major accident when a Tesla Model 3 jumped over a creek, but there wasn’t really any insight on safety from the crash, which we later found out was likely due to drunk driving after the driver was arrested under suspicion of DUI.

But a new accident this week gives more insight, especially about the Model 3’s crumple zone.

Not much is known about the accident, which happened earlier this week in Redondo Beach, California, but Youtube vlogger LivRyte Vlogs captured the aftermath on video (footage is only for a few seconds starting at 7:15 and I recommend not watching more than that unless you are miraculously not annoyed by the kid vlogger type):

It appears that the Model 3 crashed into the traffic light pole at the intersection and the front trunk wrapped itself on the pole.

The Model S is known to be amongst the safest cars when it comes to front-end collisions due to its large crumple zone and the Model 3 benefits from a similar advantage, albeit of a slightly smaller size.

The lack of engine at the front serves to absorb the energy in the instance of a crash instead of pushing on the cabin. This is a good example:

Electrek’s Take

At first glance from this crash, Model 3 appears to react a lot like Model S when it comes to head-on crashes. The frunk is completely destroyed, but it doesn’t appear to reach the cabin.

I would love to have some insights from the driver though. If you know anything about the crash, please make sure to reach out because that looks like the biggest Model 3 crash so far.

Until safety agencies perform some crash tests and release the results, crashes like this are likely going to be our best look at the Model 3’s safety level.