New research exhibits massive autos trigger extra pedestrian crashes than automobiles when turning

Giant autos are considerably extra probably than different autos to hit pedestrians whereas turning, an Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security research launched Thursday revealed.

Pedestrian crash deaths elevated 59 p.c from 2009 to 2020, with 6,500 pedestrian fatalities occurring that 12 months. When analyzing these crashes, IIHS discovered that SUVs, pickups, vans and minivans trigger a big share of crashes at intersections.

The chances of deadly crashes involving left turns occurring versus no flip is about twice as excessive for SUVs, practically 3 times as excessive for vans and minivans and virtually 4 instances as excessive for pickups than the chances for automobiles, IIHS said in a press release.

Pickups additionally had 89 p.c increased odds of crashing and killing a pedestrian throughout proper turns at intersections than automobiles. For SUVs, the chances have been 63 p.c increased.

Whereas there’s not sufficient knowledge to show the reasoning, the upper odds are probably as a consequence of blind spots created by the car design, IIHS Senior Analysis Transportation Engineer Wen Hu advised Automotive Information.

The primary drawback is probably going the A-pillars, the struts connecting the car’s roof and physique situated on both facet of the windshield. Automakers haven’t executed sufficient to ensure these don’t obscure the motive force’s view, Hu stated.

“These findings level to doubtlessly problematic visibility of pedestrians,” she stated. “There must be extra knowledge and research to look at the A-pillar design.”

She stated design options embrace hood airbags and extra sloped entrance ends.

The research additionally discovered that SUVs have been 51 p.c extra probably than automobiles to hit and kill a pedestrian strolling alongside the street. This knowledge could be skewed, as massive autos are extra widespread in rural areas the place walk-along-the-road crashes are additionally extra prone to happen, however IIHS stated it accounted for this.

Whereas automakers can do quite a bit to enhance the protection of those car designs, Hu stated drivers also can do their half by driving slower and extra cautiously.