A Changing Landscape in Police Encounters on the Road
For years, Dodge trucks were known to be involved in more DUI incidents than any other vehicle. Of course, Dodge marketed its trucks as rebellious and rugged, appealing to drivers who might view themselves as outside of the rules. Their large size and street presence likely made them stand out to police. We noted that people in certain vehicles seem to feel they are more insulated from the outside world, and this is an issue of vehicle design. It could also be that there were simply more Dodge trucks on the road at the time a couple of years ago. Whatever the reason, Dodge drivers ended up in police reports more often than others.
While Dodge trucks have historically dominated DUI statistics, the trends have shifted. Read more about a notable incident in ‘DUI in a Dodge Ram 1500 in Prince George.‘
Recently, BMW drivers have emerged as a group with increasing DUI issues. Learn more in ‘BMW Drivers are the New Worst for DUI.’
Shifting Sales and Changing Police Encounters
In recent years, Dodge truck sales have dropped significantly in Canada. The completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion played a big part in this. Many workers with steady, high-paying jobs bought Dodge trucks during the project. Now that it’s finished, those same workers don’t have the income to keep up with new purchases, and the trucks are less in demand. Stellantis, Dodge’s parent company, is struggling to keep the brand afloat.
Meanwhile, Teslas are becoming some of the most common vehicles on the road. In British Columbia, Tesla sedans and SUVs are everywhere. In the Okanagan, police issued twice as many excessive speeding tickets this year as the previous year. Although enforcement may be part of the increase, officers have told us that a significant number of these tickets were issued to drivers of Teslas. We also see Teslas showing up more often in 90-day DUI cases and other serious incidents. We expect to see conformation in the coming months of Teslas taking over Dodge trucks’ old spot as the vehicle most likely to get a driver in trouble.
Discover more about the implications of getting a 90-day prohibition in our blog ‘A 90-day IRP DUI with an Accident.’
Some of this might come down to the way Teslas feel to drive. They are quiet and smooth, with no engine noise or vibrations to remind the driver of their speed. The acceleration is quick and effortless and it’s easy to go too fast without realizing it. Tesla’s self-driving mode might also be a factor as drivers believe the car can take over completely and keep them safe, even if they’ve been drinking. Others may feel a false sense of invisibility because Teslas are so common on the road.
Learn why staying silent during police encounters is crucial in ‘Why it is so Important to Remain Silent When Questioned by the Police.‘
Police may also be paying closer attention to Teslas because officers may associate them with certain types of behavior. This was true of Dodge trucks during their peak and could explain why Teslas are now so often involved in police incidents.
Explore whether targeting specific vehicle types, like Dodge trucks, might raise questions of fairness in ‘Is it Discrimination for the Police to Target Dodge Trucks?‘
The automotive landscape is changing rapidly. Dodge is on the decline, with Stellantis facing serious financial trouble. Tesla is dominant but is under pressure from cheaper and more advanced Chinese electric vehicles. The Chinese cars that are coming offer better range and luxury at a lower price, which could reshape the market entirely. The Cybertruck, Tesla’s long-awaited entry into the truck market, is struggling with terrible sales and is expected to flop without some major redesign.
Get a closer look at how changes in automotive trends influence driving behaviors in ‘The Surprising Loopholes in DUI Charges in BC.’
It will be interesting to see what happens next. For now, Teslas seem to be taking over where Dodge trucks left off, but that could change as the market shifts. Whatever you drive, though, one thing remains constant: If you find yourself in trouble on the road, you know who to call. We handle police driving cases everywhere in BC and we’ve successfully defended countless Dodge drivers and many Teslas drivers. Call now and we can discuss your case.
“Curious about how Canadian DUI laws apply to unconventional scenarios? Check out ‘Can I Get a DUI on a Horse? Understanding DUI Laws in Canada.‘”