Taller Vehicles Riskier for Pedestrians

The oversized vehicles that have proliferated on American roads in recent years come with a cost to pedestrians in crashes: greater risk of serious injury when taller models are involved, according to new research.

“A small increase in crash speed can really ramp up the danger to a pedestrian,” said David Harkey, president of the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Our fondness for tall SUVs and pickups in the U.S. has intensified that effect.”

The group analyzed more than 200 crashes involving pedestrians in four states. The research found that crash speed’s affect on risk of moderate and serious pedestrian injuries increases when vehicles with taller ends are involved.

Due to that risk and how common such vehicles are today, IIHS says the common residential speed limit of 25 mph may be too high in urban areas with a lot of pedestrians. 

Compared to Europe, “the majority of passenger vehicles on U.S. roads today are SUVs or pickups,” said IIHS Senior Statistician Sam Monfort, who led the study. “These choices have very real consequences for pedestrian safety.”