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A new study links bigger vehicles to a sharp increase in pedestrian deaths over the last decade.
According to an article from The Associated Press published on Oregon Live, new research confirms that people driving larger vehicles are more likely to hit pedestrians while making turns.
A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety blames vehicle size and design for rising pedestrian death rates. The study's authors point to the increased number of pedestrian deaths despite the reduction in driving during the pandemic. In 2020, pedestrian deaths were up 50 percent from 2009.
While the authors note the need for more research on the topic of vehicle design, they suggest that the front "A-pillars" of large SUVs and taller hoods create bigger blind spots that prevent drivers from seeing pedestrians. Data from North Carolina show that pickup trucks were 42 percent more likely to hit pedestrians than smaller cars during left turns, while SUVs had a 23 percent higher chance.
The report suggests improvements that automakers can make to improve safety, including smaller A-pillars made of lighter, stronger materials, design that pays more attention to sight lines, and automatic emergency braking.
FULL STORY: Pedestrians increasingly in peril from SUVs, larger vehicles, study says
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A lax set of rules around vehicle size, height, and other factors is partly responsible for the alarming rise in pedestrian deaths in the United States.
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Taller hoods are a major contributor to crashes that kill pedestrians.
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Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.
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Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?
Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?
New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas
The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.
City of Madera
City of Santa Clarita
Borough of Carlisle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Colorado Energy Office
Pima County Community College District
City of Piedmont, CA
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
