IIHS studies: Passengers in newer trucks are at higher risk of injury or death, shows latest crash test Tesla said in a blog post that the Model 3's low center of gravity reduces its risk of rolling over, while its "lack of an engine is replaced by a large crumple zone that helps it absorb energy more effectively than a gas car would." The company also said the vehicle's glass roof protects passengers during rollover accidents. For Tesla, the honors come as the company continues to fend off criticism that its Autopilot system promises more self-driving capability than it can deliver. Auto safety advocates say the partially self-driving systems encourage drivers to take their hands off the wheel, but Tesla says drivers are required to keep their hands on the wheel at all times. It is possible, however, to drive the car hands-free for extended periods before the car prompts you to grip the wheel. Zuby said the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ system does not take into account the performance of Autopilot or any other automaker's partially self-driving systems. He said the organization is currently developing a test to gauge the effectiveness of such systems, but it's unclear how that test will factor into safety ratings, if at all. "Our tests show that the Model 3 is a very safe car," Zuby said. Not the safest, though. Tesla said in a blog post last year that the Model 3 "achieves the lowest probability of injury of any vehicle ever tested by" the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.