Recent research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) indicates that America’s preference for larger vehicles may be undermining established speed limit safety measures. The study’s findings suggest that the increasing prevalence of SUVs and pickup trucks on U.S. roads is creating new safety challenges, particularly regarding pedestrian accidents.
The research, examining 202 pedestrian-involved crashes between 2015 and 2022, revealed a significant correlation between vehicle height and injury severity. When pedestrians are struck by standard-height vehicles like sedans at 27 mph, there’s a 60% probability of moderate injury and a 30% chance of serious injury. However, these percentages increase dramatically with pickup trucks, which typically have front ends 13 inches higher than sedans. In such cases, the likelihood of moderate injuries rises to 83%, while serious injuries jump to 62%.
Speed compounds these risks substantially. The study found that when speeds increase from 15 to 35 mph, the risk of serious injury with standard-height vehicles escalates from 9% to 52%. With pickup trucks, these percentages become even more concerning, rising from 11% to 91%.
IIHS President David Harkey emphasized how even minor speed increases can significantly amplify pedestrian risk, particularly given Americans’ increasing preference for taller vehicles. This trend contrasts sharply with other car-centric nations like Germany, where the vehicle fleet primarily consists of lower-profile cars, resulting in fewer severe pedestrian injuries at similar speeds.
The findings align with Ford CEO Jim Farley’s recent comments at the Aspen Ideas Festival, where he acknowledged the need to shift away from larger vehicles. Despite Ford’s success with SUVs and trucks, Farley stressed the importance of embracing smaller vehicles for societal benefit and EV adoption, noting that vehicle weight is becoming a critical issue.
Current market trends reflect American consumers’ strong preference for larger vehicles, with Kelley Blue Book data showing that eight of the ten bestselling vehicles in the United States are either pickup trucks or SUVs. This preference, however, may require regulatory reconsideration, particularly regarding urban speed limits.
The IIHS suggests that current 25-mph speed limits in residential areas and cities might be excessive, recommending 15-mph limits to reduce serious injuries. A related IIHS study from November 2023 found that vehicles with front ends higher than 40 inches are approximately 45% more likely to cause pedestrian fatalities in crashes. Similarly, shorter vehicles with blunt front ends showed a 44% increase in fatality risk.
IIHS Senior Research Transportation Engineer Wen Hu points out that vehicle manufacturers could address these risks by implementing design changes, such as lowering hood heights and creating more sloped front profiles, noting that the current trend toward massive, blocky fronts serves no practical purpose.
The research indicates that improving pedestrian safety will require a coordinated effort from multiple stakeholders, including lawmakers, automotive designers, and engineers. As Harkey notes, the confluence of factors like speed and vehicle height creates negative outcomes that can only be addressed through comprehensive solutions from various sectors of the transportation industry. This suggests that while Americans’ love for larger vehicles continues, significant changes may be necessary to ensure pedestrian safety in an evolving automotive landscape.