Alyssa Milligan was a compassionate individual who had a natural ability to identify when someone needed support, motivation, or a kind word. Despite being new to Tennessee, the 23-year old student studying physical therapy, affectionately known as “Sweet Alyssa” by her mother, had already formed close relationships within the close-knit cycling community in Nashville. Tragically, she lost her life this month when she was struck by a pickup truck while cycling with a friend. Despite government test data indicating improved vehicle safety, roadway deaths in the United States are on the rise, according to the AP. Although all car-related fatalities have increased over the past decade, pedestrians and cyclists have experienced the most significant surge, with numbers rising by over 60% between 2011 and 2022.
This increase corresponds with a significant rise in the sales of SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans, which accounted for 78% of new vehicle sales in the US in 2022, as reported by Motor Intelligence. Current safety ratings in the US only consider the safety of occupants inside the vehicle. The National Association of City Transportation Officials is now leading an initiative urging transportation officials in the US to include the safety of those outside of vehicles in their five-star safety ratings. “We are unsure of the exact reasons behind the increase in pedestrian fatalities. It does appear that the rise of larger vehicles is contributing to this issue,” stated Jessica Cicchino, VP of research at the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
“Numerous studies have shown that larger vehicles like SUVs and pickups are more likely to cause fatal injuries to pedestrians and cyclists in the event of an accident,” Cicchino said, adding that larger vehicles are more prone to striking individuals in the head and vital organs rather than the lower extremities. The design of these vehicles can also lead to visibility issues. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that SUVs and pickups were most frequently involved in left-turn crashes with pedestrians, suggesting that “drivers of these vehicles may have difficulty seeing pedestrians,” according to Cicchino. Despite improvements in vehicle technology, seatbelt laws, and other changes, fatal crashes in the US have been increasing after years of decline, reaching a low point of 29,867 in 2011.
story continues below
Government estimates for fatal crashes in 2022 show a significant 43% increase to 42,795, partly attributed to higher rates of speeding and drunk driving, as well as a decrease in seatbelt use. Additionally, fatal crashes have also risen as a percentage of total miles driven. Pedestrian and cyclist deaths have surged by 64% since 2011, with an estimated 8,413 reported in 2022. John Capp, the director of vehicle safety technology, strategy, and regulations at General Motors, emphasized that there isn’t enough data available to fully comprehend the factors contributing to pedestrian traffic deaths. He also acknowledged that there are tradeoffs in vehicle design and that safety efforts in the past have primarily focused on protecting vehicle occupants. “Ultimately, there are limitations in preventing accidents involving pedestrians,” he remarked. “That’s why we are prioritizing initiatives to prevent collisions with pedestrians.” Learn more about car safety here.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
