Keeping an eye out for oncoming traffic ranks high on the list of things pedestrians must do to keep safe. People face dangers not only when walking in areas with narrow or no sidewalks or when crossing busy intersections. Walking or jogging past a driveway or heading into a California supermarket’s parking lot comes with risk. Simply put, the human body may face enormous trauma when a vehicle hits. In particular, SUVs and pickup trucks present the potentially worst harm.
Large vehicles and dangers to pedestrians
Any vehicle could inflict fatal injuries on a pedestrian. However, pickup trucks and SUVs may present the greatest danger, and not only because of their mass. These vehicles’ heights are not the same as a sedan, compact car or motorcycle. In some instances, the driver’s seated height in relation to a pedestrian’s ground-level height could make it difficult for the driver to see the person. Accidents may happen in such situations.
Visibility could worsen when a vehicle makes a left-hand turn, and larger models may suffer even poorer visibility than cars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveals some statistics regarding larger models and left-turn accidents. A review of 14,000 fatal pedestrian accidents shows SUVs, minivans, vans, and trucks were far more likely than cars to cause an accident when making a left turn.
Additional factors contribute to accidents
Visibility and design are not the only two reasons why pedestrian accidents involving pickup trucks and SUVs occur. Moving violations and other ill-advised behaviors often cause auto-pedestrian accidents.
A driver more concerned with talking on the phone or texting than avoiding an accident when pulling out of a parking space puts people at risk. Speeding drivers and those who don’t signal when making a turn could also be negligent, as might aggressive motorists.