Summary
– Research shows pedestrians are at a higher risk of being hit by electric or hybrid vehicles, especially in urban areas
– The study looked at casualty rates in Great Britain from 2013 to 2017 and found pedestrians are twice as likely to be hit by electric or hybrid vehicles compared to petrol or diesel
– Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death for children and young people, with concerns that electric and hybrid vehicles pose a safety hazard due to their quietness
– Most collisions with pedestrians involving electric or hybrid vehicles occurred in urban areas, with a higher risk in urban settings compared to rural areas
– Governments need to enhance safety measures as they phase out fossil-fuel vehicles to mitigate the risk posed to pedestrians by electric and hybrid cars
Article
Research indicates that pedestrians are at a higher risk of being hit by electric or hybrid vehicles compared to petrol or diesel cars, particularly in urban areas. A study examining casualty rates in Great Britain from 2013 to 2017 found that pedestrians were twice as likely to be hit by electric or hybrid vehicles, raising concerns as governments transition to electric vehicles to improve air quality and combat climate change. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young people, with 1 in 4 road traffic deaths being pedestrians, highlighting the importance of addressing this safety issue during the shift to electric and hybrid cars.
The study compared pedestrian casualty rates for every 100 million miles of road travel in Great Britain between electric/hybrid and fossil-fueled cars, finding that collisions with pedestrians were twice as likely with electric and hybrid vehicles. The data showed that the risk was greater in urban areas, where electric and hybrid vehicles are less audible to pedestrians due to higher background ambient noise levels. This heightened risk poses a challenge as governments phase out petrol and diesel cars and promote more sustainable modes of transportation. Acknowledging the limitations of the study, such as missing data beyond 2017 and vehicle coding issues, researchers emphasized the need to mitigate the safety risk to pedestrians posed by electric and hybrid vehicles during this transition period.
Analysis of casualty rates between 2013 and 2017 revealed that most collisions involving pedestrians occurred in urban areas, with a higher proportion involving electric or hybrid vehicles compared to petrol or diesel cars. The researchers calculated average annual casualty rates of pedestrians per 100 million miles of road travel, showing that pedestrians were more than twice as likely to be hit by electric and hybrid vehicles than by petrol and diesel vehicles. This disparity was even more pronounced in urban areas, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures as governments encourage the adoption of electric and hybrid cars to reduce emissions and improve environmental sustainability.
The study highlighted the importance of understanding and safeguarding against potential traffic injury risks associated with electric and hybrid vehicles, especially in urban settings where pedestrians are most vulnerable. The researchers emphasized that the findings should not discourage active forms of transport such as walking and cycling, but rather be used to inform strategies that mitigate the safety hazards posed by electric and hybrid vehicles. As governments proceed to phase out petrol and diesel cars, addressing the heightened risk to pedestrians from electric and hybrid vehicles is crucial for ensuring public safety and promoting sustainable transportation options.
Overall, the research underscores the need for enhanced safety measures as the transportation industry transitions to electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions and combat climate change. By addressing the increased risk to pedestrians posed by these vehicles, governments can ensure that active forms of transport remain safe and accessible while promoting environmental sustainability. Continued research and monitoring of pedestrian safety in urban areas will be essential as electric and hybrid cars become more prevalent on the roads, helping to protect vulnerable road users and create safer communities for all.
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