Summary
– EVs are criticized for being too quiet, potentially posing a danger to pedestrians, especially blind individuals
– Recent news articles highlight a study claiming that EVs are three times more likely to harm pedestrians compared to internal combustion engine vehicles in urban areas
– The study is based on outdated data from 2013-2017 when the EV market was not as developed as it is now
– The study’s conclusions may not accurately reflect the current situation as most modern EVs are equipped with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) for pedestrian safety
– Journalists have been criticized for regurgitating the study’s findings without conducting in-depth analysis or questioning the data source and accuracy.
Article
Recent news articles have claimed that electric vehicles (EVs) are more likely to hit pedestrians than internal combustion engine vehicles, based on a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. The study found that EVs, including hybrids and fully electric vehicles, were three times as likely to cause harm to pedestrians in urban areas compared to traditional vehicles. However, there are several issues with the study’s methodology, including the fact that the data used is outdated, ranging from 2013 to 2017. During this period, there were very few fully electric cars on the road in the UK, with the majority of electric vehicles being hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
The study also used questionable calculations for travel miles, resulting in inaccurate figures for the number of vehicles on the road. Additionally, the study made correlations between EV ownership by young people and unsafe driving, without considering the evolving market landscape for electric vehicles. Furthermore, the study did not take into account recent regulations requiring EVs to emit sounds at low speeds to alert pedestrians of their presence. Most new EVs now come equipped with these sound-emitting systems, known as the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), which was implemented in Europe, Japan, and the US.
Despite concerns about the safety of EVs, modern Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) now often include pedestrian detection and avoidance features, which reduce the likelihood of collisions regardless of vehicle type. Additionally, EVs are not completely silent, as they produce tire noise due to their weight, which may be as loud or louder than traditional vehicles. The study and the subsequent news articles highlighting its findings may have contributed to an unwarranted bias against electric vehicles and a resistance to change, without considering the advancements in safety technology and regulatory requirements for EVs.
It is essential for journalists to critically analyze and verify the findings of scientific studies before reporting on them, especially when it comes to complex subjects like electric vehicles. The peer review process for academic studies is not foolproof, and in this case, there are questions about the study’s methodology and relevance given the fast-moving nature of the EV market. Journalists should avoid perpetuating biased narratives and should instead strive to provide accurate and balanced reporting on important issues like road safety and the adoption of new technologies. By digging deeper and asking critical questions, journalists can help ensure that accurate and reliable information is presented to the public.
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