Study Shows SUVs and Pick-Ups Pose Higher Risk to Pedestrians
A recent study conducted by Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has revealed alarming statistics regarding pedestrian safety in collisions involving SUVs and pick-up trucks. According to the research, pedestrians hit by these larger vehicles are significantly more likely to be fatally injured compared to those hit by lower-riding hatchbacks and saloons.
The analysis, which examined data from over 600,000 collisions, found that the risk of an adult pedestrian dying in a collision is 44% higher when they are struck by an SUV or light truck. For children aged 0-9, the risk increases to a staggering 130% higher.
The study estimates that by swapping SUVs for traditional passenger cars, 17% of adult pedestrian and cyclist fatalities could be prevented, potentially saving 620 lives annually. However, it is important to note that the study primarily focused on data from the US, where larger and heavier vehicles are more common than in Europe.
While European data also showed a decreased risk with traditional passenger cars, the proportion of SUVs on the road was lower, resulting in an estimated 8% reduction in fatalities if SUVs were replaced.
The study emphasizes that a blanket ban on SUVs is not the solution, but rather action should be taken to address the specific risk factors associated with these vehicles. The report highlights the taller and blunter front ends of SUVs and pick-ups as the primary risk factors, leading to more severe injuries in pedestrians.
According to the study, the elevated front-end height of SUVs increases the likelihood of upper body injuries, such as head and thorax injuries, as well as a higher risk of being thrown forward into the road during a collision.
Another study published in the Economics of Transportation journal found that a mere 10cm increase in a car’s front-end height can raise the risk of pedestrian fatality by 22%. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the design elements of SUVs and pick-up trucks to improve pedestrian safety.
