A new report has shed light on important factors contributing to roadway safety including the impact of vehicle size, weight, and direct vision.
In 2023, over 40,000 people lost their lives on US roadways, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Recognizing how dangerous roadways have become and that SUVs, vans and pickup trucks account for nearly 75 per cent of vehicles produced today, the Road to Zero Coalition, a National Safety Council (NSC) initiative funded by NHTSA with a goal of zero roadway deaths by 2050, released a new report, Massive Hazards: How Bigger, Heavier Light Trucks Endanger Lives on American Roads.
The report found the following issues existed among light trucks versus smaller cars:
- Their height and weight relative to pedestrians
- Unique front-end geometry and stiffness
- Large blind zones
- Crash incompatibility with smaller cars
- The compounding impacts of speed and acceleration
“This comprehensive report sheds light on important factors contributing to roadway safety – the impact of vehicle size, weight, and direct vision,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO, and chair of the Road to Zero Coalition.
“While more work is needed to solve this pressing challenge, the research is clear: government, manufacturers and drivers all need to come together to tackle this critical safety issue, so more people can return home safely each day.”
