Why Tall and Fast Cars Are Dangerous for Pedestrians

Dangerous cars are a pressing concern in bustling cities like San Francisco, CA, where pedestrian activity is high. At The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc., we’ve seen firsthand how the combination of vehicle height and speed creates perilous conditions for those on foot. Understanding these risks is essential for improving safety and ensuring justice for accident victims.

Height and Speed: A Dangerous Combination for Pedestrians

Taller vehicles, such as SUVs, trucks, and vans, have a higher center of gravity and higher front-end profiles. This design reduces visibility, particularly in urban areas with crosswalks and bike lanes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says these vehicles are in a disproportionate number of pedestrian accidents when turning.

Speed only increases the problem. The faster a vehicle is going, the more difficult it is to stop, and the impact is much greater. Pedestrians hit at high speeds are likely to suffer serious injuries or fatalities. In San Francisco, with its often-congested streets and pedestrians sharing space with vehicles, this combination is particularly deadly.

How Vehicle Size Amplifies Risks in Accidents

Taller vehicles, by design, pose specific risks. Their higher front ends most often make initial contact with a pedestrian’s torso or head, while smaller cars usually strike lower on the body. This makes traumatic injuries to vital organs and the brain more likely. Large blind spots in bigger vehicles, especially around the front and sides, make it easier for drivers to miss pedestrians altogether.

Increased Severity of Injuries with Taller and Faster Vehicles

The quicker a vehicle is traveling, the less time a driver has to react, and the more likely serious injuries such as fractures and spinal damage will occur. Taller vehicles increase these risks, which can be fatal. In urban areas like San Francisco, with numerous busy intersections, these risks are magnified. In fact, crash data indicates that deaths related to accidents with SUVs and trucks are higher than those involving smaller cars.

Legislation and Vehicle Design to Protect Pedestrians

Efforts are underway to make vehicles safer for pedestrians. This includes redesigning the vehicle to minimize injury in the event of a collision and legislation that holds manufacturers responsible for safety.

Federal Standards Proposal to Reduce Risks

Federal agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are striving to impose laws in light of pedestrian protection. These include lower front-end designs on vehicles, softer bumpers that can absorb impact, and airbags designed for pedestrians. While these measures won’t eliminate accidents, they could drastically reduce the severity of injuries.

The manufacturers have also started experimenting with some innovative features like raised hoods that cushion pedestrians during a collision. Though still in their infancy, these designs do show promise for the reduction of fatalities.

Expert Statements on the Roadway Death Crisis

The crisis of roadway deaths in the U.S. has raised urgent calls for action. According to Smart Growth America, over 6,000 pedestrians are killed every year on U.S. roads. Experts emphasize that it is a crisis that will require a holistic approach: better road design, better enforcement of traffic laws, and safer vehicles.

Accident Prevention Technologies: Potential and Challenges

Advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, are a group of technologies on newer vehicles designed to prevent accidents. There are, however, many obstacles to their implementation.

Automatic Emergency Braking as a Key Tool

One of the best tools for preventing pedestrian accidents involves Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems. These use sensors to detect obstacles and automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not respond in time. Indeed, several studies have demonstrated that AEB significantly reduces the likelihood of a collision.

Unfortunately, despite its potential, AEB is not fitted in all cars. Most manufacturers save the feature for higher-end models, which leave economically priced vehicles and their drivers without such a critical safety component.

Debate Over the Implementation of Safety Technologies

While safety advocates champion the wide adoption of technologies like AEB, others point out the cost and technological limitations as deterrents. Others argue that it is not foolproof yet since it may fail in poor weather conditions or struggle to detect pedestrians in low light.

Safety solution packages are an obvious need. With cities continuing to grow, such as San Francisco, having these enhanced safety features on all vehicles is critical to protecting pedestrians and preventing accidents.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney to Protect Your Rights

If you or a loved one has been injured by dangerous cars, The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. can help. For years, our attorneys have been fighting to help injured victims of car accidents in San Francisco receive fair compensation.

Call us today at (415) 433-0444 or visit the office at 222 Front Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111. Let us fight for your rights—your safety is our priority.