The number of pedestrian deaths in the United States has significantly climbed from 2009 to 2018, according to a study published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Incidentally, this period comprises the rise of SUVs in popularity.
In the early 2000s, car buyers preferred family sedans when purchasing vehicles. But consumer demand in the past decade has shown that SUVs have considerably replaced sedans as the first choice for many buyers. In the same period, higher death rates in pedestrian crashes were recorded.
IIHS’s study suggests that compared to family sedans, pedestrian crashes involving SUVs turn out to be more lethal.
It is, however, interesting to note that the sample size for the study was small—only taking into account 79 crashes that occurred in Michigan—although the agency says there is a wide contrast in the data.
Based on the study, SUVs caused more serious injury to pedestrians compared to passenger cars when running at speeds of over 19 mph. At speeds of 20 mph to 39 mph, 30% of the SUV crashes resulted in a pedestrian fatality, while pedestrian deaths caused by a car amounted to 23% of the crashes.
When traveling at speeds over 40 mph, accidents involving an SUV resulted in pedestrian deaths 100% of the time and 54% for crashes involving a car and a pedestrian.
From 2008 to 2018, data show that pedestrian deaths in America rose by 53%. In this timeframe, vehicle registration reveals that SUVs have a bigger share of the U.S. vehicle fleet by 8%.
IIHS said it intends to conduct more research on crashes involving SUVs and pedestrians.
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
