Understanding The Connection Between Vehicle Size And Pedestrian Deaths

As some consumers to opt for smaller cars that are better for the environment, there’s another automotive trend that is taking things in the exact opposite direction.

Trucks Keep Getting Bigger

Anyone who’s spent even a modest amount of time on the road in recent years has undoubtedly noticed the fact that the average pickup truck is significantly taller, wider, and heavier than those being sold just a decade or two ago. Even beefier models require the same marker lights you’d see on a big rig.

Basic physics shows that a heavier object is harder to stop than a lighter one, which means drivers of these large trucks need to begin braking earlier to avoid hitting a pedestrian or another vehicle. Furthermore, bigger vehicles tend to have larger blind spots, which can make spotting a pedestrian difficult, if not impossible.

Safety tech isn’t enough

Sure, vehicles have arguably gotten safer over the years as technological advancements allow cameras and sensors to detect possible trouble ahead. As civil engineering tech Myles Russell, who has spent a significant amount of time studying the issue, found out, safety equipment can often malfunction and drivers don’t always pay attention to the alerts.

"Physics doesn't care about cameras, sensors, ABS, and other tech,” he said. “Tech fails, and when it does it'll be pedestrians, children, cyclists, and those in smaller, more sensible cars that will pay.”

Addressing the problem

With pedestrian deaths at the highest rate in four decades, advocates and lawmakers are pushing for real solutions. Last year, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced a bill that would require new vehicles to include sensors to detect pedestrians in front of them.

Time will tell whether it advances through Congress, but for now we’ve all got to be as careful as possible when sharing the road.

Chris Agee March 25th, 2023

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