IIHS: Rising SUV sales linked to higher pedestrian fatalities

A recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study has revealed that pedestrian deaths have been increasing since 2009, when they were at the lowest. It has also found out that SUVs make up the largest share of the vehicles involved, corroborating a previous report which said that SUVs, vans and pickups pose a higher risk to pedestrians.

In 2016, 5,987 pedestrians were killed in the USA, representing a 16% share in the total crash fatalities. IIHS looked at crash data from 2009 to 2016 to analyse the reasons for this increase. The crash data included the relative number of pedestrian deaths when compared to the total number of pedestrians involved in accidents, the environment, road types involved as well as the time of the day.

In 2015, the pedestrian fatality numbers per 100 crashes was 29% more than the 2010 figures. 2010 saw the lowest fatalities. Further, urban areas, arterial roads and nonintersections saw an increase of 54%, 67% and 50% respectively. The period also saw a 56% increase in fatal crashes involving low light conditions. In 2016, 4,453 pedestrians were involved in fatal crashes in the dark, compared to 1,290 in daytime and 205 at dawn or dusk.

One more figure that stood out was the 81% increase in fatal single-vehicle crashes involving SUVs. The researchers also noted that the there was an increase in the number of crash vehicles with a higher power-to-weight ratio. Amongst age groups, people aged 20-69 saw the highest increase in pedestrian fatalities.

The IIHS has also suggested measures that will improve the safety of pedestrians. These include installing a pedestrian activated beacons at crossings, better road illumination and curb extensions.

Vehicles equipped with front crash prevention systems have shown a lesser percentage of fatal injuries to pedestrians when compared to cars that are not equipped with the technology. A front-end redesign for bigger vehicles like SUVs has also been recommended as such vehicles are likely to strike a pedestrian in the chest or head.

Source - IIHS