Pedestrian safety is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed in order to prevent tragic accidents and loss of life. With the increasing number of cars on the roads, measures must be taken to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users. This article highlights the importance of making cars less dangerous for pedestrians and discusses various safety features and technologies that can help mitigate accidents and injuries.
One of the key factors contributing to pedestrian accidents is the lack of safety consideration in the design of vehicles. Often, the main focus is on the safety of the driver and passengers, with little attention given to the safety of those outside the vehicle. This needs to change, and raising awareness about the issue is a crucial step towards achieving safer roads.
There are several safety features that can be integrated into cars to minimize the risk to pedestrians. For example, flexible materials can be used in the design to reduce the impact of collisions. Smoothing out areas of the bonnet that are likely to hit pedestrians can significantly decrease the severity of injuries. Additionally, front bumpers can be equipped with foam padding or other materials to absorb the energy of impact.
However, there are certain challenges that need to be overcome. Windscreen pillars, for instance, are designed to be rigid to protect the occupants of the vehicle in a collision. Unfortunately, this makes them dangerous for pedestrians in the event of a collision. Vehicle manufacturers are still struggling to integrate safety features that protect vulnerable road users in this specific area.
Innovations such as pedestrian airbags and pop-up bonnets have shown promise in reducing injuries. These features deploy in the event of a collision with a pedestrian, minimizing the impact and reducing the risk of severe injuries. However, the adoption of these technologies has been slow, and more needs to be done to encourage their implementation in new vehicle models.
While passive safety features are essential, active safety features play a crucial role in preventing accidents altogether. Automatic or autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems are becoming increasingly common in new cars. These systems use cameras and sensors to detect pedestrians at risk and apply the brakes automatically. While AEB is not perfect and its effectiveness can be compromised under certain conditions, it is continuously improving.
Car manufacturers are also exploring the use of lidar and radar sensors to enhance AEB systems. These sensors can detect not only pedestrians but also other vulnerable road users such as cyclists. Additionally, technologies to prevent dooring accidents, where a car door is opened onto an oncoming cyclist, are being developed and integrated into new vehicles.
Speed is a critical factor in the severity of pedestrian injuries. With lower speeds, the risk and extent of injury decrease significantly. To address this, the EU has mandated intelligent speed assistance (ISA) systems that warn drivers of high speeds or automatically reduce speeds. The size of cars also plays a role in pedestrian safety, with larger vehicles, such as SUVs, posing a higher risk due to their weight and reduced visibility.
Regulation is an essential aspect of improving pedestrian safety. Stricter regulations for commercial vehicles, such as heavy goods vehicles, have already been implemented in some countries. These regulations aim to enhance the direct vision of lorry drivers and reduce blind spots, thus minimizing the risk to vulnerable road users.
In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering changes to its New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) to include pedestrian protection. This move could potentially improve safety standards for pedestrians. The NHTSA is also exploring the implementation of pedestrian automatic emergency braking rules, which have the potential to save hundreds of lives annually.
Preventing pedestrian accidents is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration between vehicle manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and road users. Designing vehicles with the safety of pedestrians in mind, utilizing advanced technology, and enforcing regulations are key steps towards ensuring safer roads for all. By prioritizing pedestrian safety and raising awareness, we can work towards a future where tragic accidents like the one that took Allie Hart’s life become a rarity.