Study Reveals Children Face Nearly Double the Risk of Fatality When Struck by SUVs Compared to Cars

Recent research has revealed a startling statistic: pedestrians and cyclists face a 44% higher risk of fatality when struck by an SUV or similarly sized vehicle compared to a traditional car. Alarmingly, this figure escalates to 82% for children, according to the analysis from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in collaboration with Imperial College London.

This extensive study examined over 680,000 road collisions recorded over the past 35 years. By comparing injury severity among pedestrians and cyclists hit by conventional cars and lightweight trucks—which encompass SUVs, small vans, and pick-up trucks—the researchers gathered compelling insights.

In the UK, SUVs accounted for a staggering one-third of all new car registrations last year, a significant rise from just 12% a decade ago. These vehicles generally possess attributes such as increased height, width, and weight, as well as reduced fuel efficiency. The study reinforces earlier findings indicating that the elevated front end of SUVs is a key factor in the heightened risk; individuals are often struck higher on their bodies. For instance, an adult is typically hit in the pelvis instead of the knees, while a child may be hit in the head rather than the pelvis.

The blunt design of SUVs also results in higher chances of individuals being propelled forward, increasing the risk of subsequent impacts or even the vehicle rolling over them. This research encompassed 24 studies, 16 of which were from the United States, alongside contributions from nations such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The authors estimate that SUVs currently represent approximately 20% of car crashes in Europe and 45% in the United States. They concluded that if all SUVs were replaced with standard vehicles, pedestrian and cyclist fatalities could potentially decrease by 8% in Europe and 17% in the US.

“Globally, we’ve seen a tremendous rise in the sales of larger vehicles,” stated Anna Goodman, assistant professor at the LSHTM and senior author of the study. “Prior research indicates that this trend significantly hampers our efforts towards achieving net-zero goals. Our findings suggest that the proliferation of larger vehicles is likely to undermine the road safety advancements made in other areas. Many cities are starting to implement measures to discourage the use of such large vehicles, and our study further supports the road safety argument for this action.”

This research has been published in the journal Injury Prevention. Tanya Braun, director of external affairs and fundraising at Living Streets, expressed concern, stating, “It’s clear that SUVs compromise safety for everyone, particularly children, as they navigate our streets. Nearly 50 child pedestrians are killed or injured in England every day, and each tragic loss weighs heavily on our communities. We urgently need enhanced measures to protect pedestrians, and we call on the British government to invest in active travel infrastructure and safe zones around schools that have proven effective in safeguarding children from vehicles like SUVs.”

In recent years, environmental activists have taken action, claiming responsibility for deflating thousands of SUV tires across the UK. The group known as the Tyre Extinguishers has mobilized supporters to make ownership of these vehicles increasingly challenging in urban areas, aiming to raise awareness about their safety risks and environmental impact.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.