NYT investigation: Rise of giant trucks and SUVs tied to more pedestrian deaths
The New York Times investigation "The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and S.U.V.s" finds that larger SUVs and pickup trucks, with higher hoods and beefy A-pillars, are causing thousands more pedestrian deaths. The Times' interactive analysis estimates about 200 to 400 pedestrians a year would not have died if vehicle sizes had remained roughly the same over the past quarter century, roughly 10 percent of the recent increase in pedestrian fatalities. Taller front ends strike people higher on the body, increasing run-over deaths, and enlarged A-pillars and hood blind spots prevent drivers from seeing short pedestrians and children directly in front of vehicles. Because pedestrian fatalities have risen about 75 percent since 2009, changes to vehicle design, visibility standards, and urban speed or infrastructure policies could meaningfully reduce those deaths.
NYT investigates US car bloat: “About 200 to 400 pedestrians a year would not have died if vehicles had remained approximately the same size over the past quarter-century. That represents about 10 percent of the recent increase in pedestrian deaths.”
David Zipper82Shoutout to the people & org’s who've been warning about car bloat for years, including: - @iihs-hldi.bsky.social - National Safety Council - @usa.streetsblog.org - @schmangee.bsky.social - @justintyndall.bsky.social Without their work, NYT wouldn't have placed a spotlight on the issue.
ThomasMesse7Saw similar results from a study in England (I don't have the reference, it was presented at a conference). SUVs and other large cars might be safer for the driver, but are more dangerous for pedestrians. More accidents because the driver can't see them, and more fatalities due to the weight.
hoffsbeefs.bsky.social5that really undersells all the maiming too
pbasken.bsky.social4Yep that's the typical "sort of investigating" we've become used to. It essentially details a problem we already know, then fully ignores the clear cause -- massive government subsidization of private motoring, which makes all the incentives go toward creating the very problem the NYT cites.
Jeri3Come to Oklahoma. Every other vehicle is a huge truck. Not all of these guys can be farmers. Sick of the waste.
I did not know about the A-pillar blind spot problem (gift article) www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
TK_Wharton44Bigger A-pillars, now required on large trucks and SUV's due to rollover hazard, create large blind spots that can hide pedestrians causing common issue on left turns
Weftage11I love my 2017 Prius, but it has a similar problem, if in smaller scale. I had to learn to quickly look AROUND the pillar to make sure I'm not running down a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Lazlo Toth10I have this problem with my 2012 Chevy Volt. The A pillar is huge because it houses an airbag.
Anastasia ➳❥6These honestly shouldn’t be legal in my opinion
Olli2I bought a 2009 Kia Spectra in 2010. Great car, got a 2016 Kia Sportage in 2018. I did NOT realize about the A-pillar blind spots until I had almost hit a pedestrian .. TURNING LEFT. I still have it, and I still drive it, but I am super hyper vigilant and go slow, because it made me realize how..
supastaaarz2There was an episode of 60 Minutes (or maybe 20/20?) a few years ago that showed an entire kindergarten class in front of a Chevy Suburban and the driver couldn’t see any of the kids.
