According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the number of pedestrian fatalities has increased 53 percent since 2009 (when the number reached its lowest point). The two deadliest days for pedestrians are October 31 and November 1 (after midnight on Halloween).
Pedestrians are more vulnerable to injury and death than any other users of our streets and highways. Carmakers are fully aware of the statistics regarding pedestrian fatalities. Most carmakers are making these systems standard on some models.
Crash avoidance systems are rapidly being designed and deployed. A report was released Monday that ranked the crash avoidance systems in 16 midsized vehicles. This report from the IIHS noted significant variation in the effectiveness of these systems.
It is a common assumption that the most effective crash avoidance systems are to be found in the most expensive luxury models produced by carmakers. The study proved that such assumptions are not always true. A pedestrian crash avoidance system was standard equipment in each of the six luxury models tested. A system was standard in six of the ten non-luxury models, as well.
The test examined the effectiveness of these crash avoidance systems in three situations:
- An adult pedestrian stepping into the street in front of an oncoming vehicle with a clear view.
- A child darting into the street from behind two parked cars.
- An adult pedestrian near the side of the road in the travel lane, facing away from traffic.
In each of these tests, the systems had one or two seconds to stop the car to prevent hitting the pedestrian. Speeds ranged between 12 and 37 mph.
The rankings of the midsized vehicles were:
Superior Crash Prevention
- 2019 Audi A4 (standard)
- 2019-20 BMW 3 series (standard)
- 2020 Subaru Outback (standard)
- 2019-20 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (optional)
- 2019-20 Nissan Maxima (optional on 2019 model, standard on 2020 model)
- 2019 Volvo S60 (standard)
Advanced
- 2019-20 BMW 3 series (optional)
- 2019-20 Honda Accord (standard)
- 2019-20 Lexus ES 350 (standard)
- 2019 Mazda 6 (standard)
- 2019-20 Nissan Altima (optional)
- 2019-20 Tesla Model3 (standard)
- 2019-20 Toyota Camry (standard)
Basic
- 2019-20 Chevrolet Malibu (optional camera only)
- 2019-20 Chevrolet Malibu (optional camera + radar)
- 2019-20 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (standard)
No Credit
- 2019-20 Ford Fusion (standard)
- 2019 Hyundai Sonata (optional)
- 2019 Kia Optima (optional)
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
For all drivers, a knowledge of these rankings should be important when purchasing a vehicle. It is especially important for those of us who drive in city or town areas where there are many pedestrians.
If you or a loved one is injured in a pedestrian-involved crash, through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your hurts and harms. Altizer Law, P.C., has been helping people to rebuild their lives after sustaining injury in pedestrian-involved accidents. Call Bettina Altizer and her team for the help you need to win the financial compensation you deserve. We understand that it’s about the money.
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