AI Generated Image
Oversized Trucks, SUVs Taking a Toll in America
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- A New York Times investigation reveals that the rise in pedestrian deaths in the US is linked to the increasing size and height of SUVs and pickup trucks since the early 2000s.
- The shift to vehicles with higher front ends has contributed to an estimated 3,000 pedestrian deaths since 2016, equating to 200-400 lives lost annually that might have been saved.
- Taller, squarer vehicle fronts cause pedestrians to be struck in the chest and thrown under the vehicle rather than onto the hood, while larger blind spots from thick roof pillars and mirrors increase accident risk.
- Automakers and regulators have relied on driver-assist technologies to mitigate dangers, but these systems often fail in common driving conditions.
- Despite safety concerns, big trucks and SUVs continue to be the most profitable segment of the US automotive market.
