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SUV’s Linked to Increased Pedestrian Fatalities
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released the findings of a disturbing report recently. The research called into question the number a pedestrian vs. vehicle accidents that resulted in a fatality. It may come as a surprise, but SUVs ranked as the most common vehicle involved in single-vehicle accidents that killed a pedestrian from 2009-2016. Accidents were also found to involve higher horse-power vehicles.
At a time when vehicles are becoming increasingly safer for the occupants, sadly the statistics do not show the same for pedestrians.
The number of people killed while walking along side a road is at a 25 year high for the second year in a row.
Why would SUVs play such a large role in these deaths?
The simple answer is that SUVs are becoming increasingly popular and for many, the bigger, the better. Many drivers believe that being in an elevated position increases driver visibility, but it doesn’t. Driving a larger vehicle with a longer front end actually decreases the driver’s ability to see objects and people within close proximity. The front ends of these vehicles are also higher, which is terrible news for the pedestrian. It causes the vehicle to strike the average adult in the chest or head, rather than the knees or legs.
What can be done by vehicle manufacturers?
High Fives to Volvo, GM, and Mercedes-Benz. These three auto producers are taking note of the problem and are working to provide a safer environment for people both inside and outside of their vehicles. These three manufacturers are working on technology to provide pedestrian airbags. These airbags are designed to inflate and keep the pedestrian from being struck by the vehicle’s front roof pillars. Striking these pillars has proven to be very deadly for the pedestrian.
Other safety features meant to save the lives of pedetrians include emergency or automatic braking, and forward collision warning. This occurs when the vehicle’s sensors detect an object in its path and applies the brakes automatically. Volvo has had this feature on their XC90 since the redesign in 2015. Sadly, this feature had been disabled by Uber in the now infamous Uber self-driving vehicle crash that took the life of a bicyclist crossing a road. Recent reports concluded that had those systems been in place, the vehicle operator would have been warned by the FCW system 6 seconds before impact. Six seconds is an eternity!
Rearview cameras now mandatory on all new vehicles sold in the U.S. allow a driver to see what is behind them. This device has proven to reduce the number of vehicle backovers in the U.S.
What can be done by pedestrians to reduce the risk of being killed?
Another way to keep pedetrians afer is to change the way they cross streets. Adding more crosswalks to reduce jaywalking is a start. Also redesigning streets with traffic calming islands and shorter crosswalks to reduce the time the pedestrian is on the roadway can also help to reduce the number of injuries and deaths.
Pedestrians can also keep themselves safer by famaliarizing themselves with laws concerning pedestrian traffic. When walking at night, use lighted gear and flashlights and wear brightly colored clothing in daytime. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions like cell phone use.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a pedestrian single-car accident, call The Thomson Law Firm for a FREE consultation at 540-777-4900.
