A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicates that the design of SUVs makes it harder for drivers to see if there are pedestrians on the road. This is true whether they\u2019re on a crosswalk or the sidewalk. This is something for every New Jersey driver and pedestrian to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the study, SUVs are involved in more accidents with pedestrians in intersections than cars, whether the vehicle is turning left, right or going straight. The numbers show that the larger the vehicle is, the more likely it is to be in an accident<\/a> with a pedestrian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several factors may play into the increased danger that SUVs present to those crossing or walking along the road. One possibility is that how the A-pillars are shaped or located on the vehicle may impair the driver\u2019s visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also comes down to their sheer size. The A-pillars are necessary to support the SUV\u2019s roof and are located on both sides of the windshield, but they can get in the way and obscure the driver\u2019s view. The wider the A-pillars, the larger the blind spot a driver cannot see a pedestrian through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Large vehicles must be designed to handle their added weight, which accounts for the bigger A-pillars, but there has yet to be a systematic assessment of the design of these struts. Pedestrian safety may also be impacted by other elements of an SUV\u2019s design, including its long front end and high ride height.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA better design could save lives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n