Higher-Risk Vehicles: SUVs Increase Pedestrian and Cyclist Fatalities by 44%

Strategic Insights -

Recent research conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London has found a significant correlation between larger vehicle collisions and pedestrian or cyclist fatalities. The analysis, which gathered data from over 680,000 road collisions spanning 35 years, indicates that pedestrians and cyclists are 44% more likely to die if struck by an SUV or similar-sized vehicle compared to a standard car. This risk increases to 82% for children. SUVs, characterized by their higher seating position, taller front end, and blunter design, have become increasingly popular, accounting for a third of new car registrations in the UK last year, up from 12% a decade earlier.

Key Takeaways:

  • SUVs are 44% more likely to result in pedestrian or cyclist fatalities compared to standard cars, with the risk increasing to 82% for children.
  • The study analyzed 24 studies, including 16 from the US, highlighting that SUVs account for around 20% of car crashes in Europe and 45% in the US.
  • If all SUVs were replaced with standard cars, pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in car crashes would decrease by 8% in Europe and 17% in the US.
  • The increased risk associated with SUVs is attributed to their taller front end, which strikes pedestrians higher on the body, and blunter design, which throws people forward, increasing the likelihood of a second impact.
  • Cities and countries worldwide are introducing measures to discourage the use of large vehicles, such as SUVs, to improve road safety and support net-zero goals.
  • Anna Goodman, assistant professor at the LSHTM and senior author of the study, emphasizes that the trend of selling larger cars is undermining progress towards net-zero goals and calls for further research to strengthen road safety regulations.

Statistics:

  • 860,000 (680,000 road collisions analyzed by the study)
  • 44% (increase in pedestrian or cyclist fatalities if struck by an SUV or similar-sized vehicle)
  • 82% (increase in pedestrian or cyclist fatalities for children if struck by an SUV or similar-sized vehicle)
  • 20% (proportion of car crashes involving SUVs in Europe)
  • 45% (proportion of car crashes involving SUVs in the US)
  • 8% (decrease in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities if all SUVs were replaced with standard cars in Europe)
  • 17% (decrease in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities if all SUVs were replaced with standard cars in the US)

Sources:

  • "In-depth study exposes the risks of higher vehicles" (author unknown)
  • London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  • Imperial College London
  • Anna Goodman, assistant professor at the LSHTM and senior author of the study
  • Various studies cited in the report, including 16 from the US.