Car manufacturers have succeeded in convincing many drivers to buy an SUV. They’ve done it through various tactics, including promoting the safety of these vehicles. But is this really true?
What the manufacturer’s promotional materials tend to focus on is the protection an SUV can give to those inside it. What they fail to mention is how much more dangerous that same SUV can be to others. One study found “a child hit by an SUV or LTV being 82% more likely to be killed than a child hit by a passenger car.” For pedestrians and cyclists hit by one, the increased risk of death was 42%.
Reduced vision
One of the things that makes SUVs such a threat is that they have greatly reduced visibility in some aspects, compared to more traditional family cars. This comes down to two things:
- The thicker corner pillars between which the glass sits: The idea of the extra thickness is to prevent the roof from caving in in the event of a flip. But they make for larger blind spots at the front and back corners.
- The higher hood: This increases the blind spot in front of the vehicle. If a child is crossing or playing close to the front, they might be completely obscured from view. A lower-hooded vehicle might at least keep the child’s head or upper body visible to the driver.
A driver will struggle to avoid what they fail to see.
They hit harder
SUVs weigh more, so they impact anything they hit with much greater force. The high hood also means they hit the vital organs or even the head, whereas a lower fronted vehicle might only hit someone below the waist. It’s similar for anyone inside another vehicle — the SUV will hit higher up their vehicle, so higher up their seated body.
Those hit by SUVs often need large amounts of compensation due to the seriousness of the injuries that can occur. They or their families may need legal guidance to seek adequate compensation.
