SUV collisions pose deadlier risk to pedestrians than smaller cars

Pedestrians and cyclists are far more likely to be killed or seriously injured if they are struck by larger vehicles, such as SUVs or light truck vehicles (LTVs), compared to smaller passenger cars, a comprehensive new study has found.

The research was conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London, analysing data from over 680,000 real-world collisions across the past 35 years.

They found that being hit by an SUV or LTV increases the odds of fatal injury by 44% for people of all ages. The risk is even more alarming for children, who are 82% more likely to die in such crashes compared to being struck by a passenger car. For children under the age of 10, the likelihood of death rises by a staggering 130%.

“These larger vehicles are particularly dangerous for children, especially young children,” said Elsa Robinson, an MSc Public Health student at LSHTM. “Children are shorter in height and more vulnerable to being hit in critical areas such as the head or chest by a tall car’s front end.”

SUVs accounted for 62% of new car sales in 2024, a significant increase from 47% in 2020. But their increasing popularity has raised concerns among public health and transport safety experts.

The study found that both adults and children hit by SUVs or LTVs were also more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries rather than minor ones. The risk of serious or fatal injury increased by 24% in adults and 28% in children, compared with those struck by smaller vehicles.

But why is this the case?

Researchers point to the physical design of SUVs as one of the key factors behind the increased danger. With higher and blunter front ends, SUVs tend to hit pedestrians and cyclists higher on the body. This impacts vital organs and increases the likelihood of secondary impacts or being run over.

Anna Goodman, assistant professor at LSHTM, said the findings add to mounting evidence that the growing size of cars is undermining road safety progress. “Cities and countries around the world are starting to introduce measures to discourage the use of these large vehicles,” she said. “Our study strengthens the road safety rationale for this.”

In the US, SUVs are involved in around 45% of car crashes, compared with 20% in Europe. The study also estimates that replacing SUVs with passenger cars could reduce pedestrian and cyclist deaths by 17% in the US and 8% in Europe. As for children, the reduction could be even more significant: 27% in the US and 14% in Europe.

But it’s important to note not all SUVs are dangerous…

In fact, the top five cars ranked as the safest of the year so far were all SUVs, according to the car safety performance assessment programme Euro NCAP. Each received a five-star safety rating, with the Chinese EV, the Geely EX5, earning an 83% rating for pedestrian safety. The Cupra Terramar received an 82% rating in the same category, while the Jaecoo 7 PHEV scored 80%.

Tips on how to make sure pedestrians are safe

To make sure pedestrians are safe when driving an SUV, focus on being more vigilant and anticipate pedestrian movements. As a lot of SUVs are high-rise, make sure to be wary of children and be more aware of your surroundings.

Other safety tips include:

• Always yield to pedestrians crossing at marked pedestrian crossings and intersections, even if there’s no traffic light.
• Scan the areas for pedestrians, especially around parked cars, intersections and crossings. Always be prepared to stop or slow down.
• Always adhere to the speed limits, particularly in areas with pedestrians.
• Make sure that your car is visible, especially at night, by using your headlights and taillights effectively.
• Stay focused on driving and avoid distractions such as smartphones and music.
• Be extra cautious when turning right, as pedestrians may be crossing the road into your path.
• Be mindful of your blind spots, especially when turning or merging, as pedestrians might be hidden.
• Check your mirrors frequently so that you’re aware of traffic and pedestrians behind you.
• Stay alert and be prepared to react to unexpected situations.

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