Cars are becoming more and more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. In question: the increase, over the past 25 years, areas that the driver does not see due to the architecture of his vehicle, reveals an American study.
Even if the phenomenon is imperceptible, drivers see less and less what is happening around their car. A study of the American Department of Transport analyzed six popular models sold between 1997 and today. All have lost visibility.
The most striking example is that of the Honda CR-V SUV. In 1997, the driver saw 68% of the area located 10 meters in front of him, which corresponds to the braking distance of a vehicle at 16 km/h. Today, only 28% of this area is visible.
The evolution of automotive design is cause, with higher hoods, larger mirrors and thicker windshield amounts. Vehicles whose framework is square are moreover more murderous than those whose front is tilted.
Increase in deaths of pedestrians and cyclists
Everything that makes cars more imposing reduces the field of vision, and this evolution is not without consequences for pedestrians and cyclists. In the United States, their deaths increased by 37% for pedestrians and 42% for cyclists in 25 years.
Researchers also explain this increase in deaths by increasing the population combined with poor pedestrian infrastructure, as well as the increase in vehicle speed.
Manufacturers compensate with assistance technologies, such as cameras, sensors or automatic braking systems, but the problem remains: as long as driving is not completely autonomous, nothing seems to replace good direct visibility.
PW it’s asleep
