Performance of Pedestrian Crash Prevention Varies by Make of Car

Every year, the National Highways Traffic Safety administration analyzes fatal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents. The five factors contributing to pedestrian fatality data are population, light level, location, alcohol and other drugs, and vehicle type.

Here at the Demas Law Group, P.C., we have examined the data surrounding the types of vehicles involved in fatal pedestrian accidents, pedestrian safety devices in automobiles, and the kinds of safety tests being performed to improve pedestrian protection.

Recent Fatal Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Statistics compiled annually by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) continue to show a disturbingly increasing trend in the number of fatal pedestrian accidents. Pedestrian deaths as a percentage of total motor vehicle crash deaths increased 4% over an almost nine-year period from 2008 to 2017.

Preliminary data for last year is estimated to reveal nearly 6,300 deaths – the highest number in over 30 years.

In California, the GHSA report is expected to include over 400 fatal pedestrian accidents.  While this represents an approximate 8% decrease from the previous year, California is only one of 15 states with greater than or equal to over two pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people.

Safety Features to Reduce Pedestrian Accidents

What is pedestrian protection in cars? Many automobile manufacturers are now offering safety features that incorporate pedestrian detection systems in cars and SUVs. The goal is to reduce pedestrian accidents.

These features include advanced safety equipment and technology such as:

Some of these features are included as standard equipment, and others are optional, depending on the vehicle manufacturer.

Engineers at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have designed tests to evaluate crash avoidance systems in cars and SUVs. The newest test is called the pedestrian autobrake test.

Safety Test Types, Vehicles, and Results

The IIHS tests vehicles in clear weather on dry pavement at different speeds and with pedestrian crash test dummies representing adults and children. A vehicle’s ability to avoid a crash or make the crash less severe is given one of four ratings: basic, advanced, superior, or no credit.

Two rounds of pedestrian protection system testing were conducted in 2019. In February, eleven small SUV models were tested. In October 2019, 16 midsize cars were tested.  The results were as follows:

Superior

Advanced

Basic