Taller cars raise pedestrian death risk by 11% per 10cm, Australian study finds
New research on 10,000 crashes shows each 10cm rise in vehicle height increases pedestrian fatality risk by 11 per cent.
As Australians shift from sedans to larger SUVs and utes, researchers analysed more than 10,000 crashes to understand the safety trade-off. The findings are stark: for every 10 centimetres a vehicle grows taller, the odds a pedestrian dies in a collision rise by 11 per cent.
The risk is highest for women, children and older people. A 2005 sedan stood less than 1.5 metres high; today's popular utes reach about 1.9 metres, towering over most adults.
The shift mirrors US trends, where pedestrian deaths have climbed as vehicle heights have increased. Australian pedestrian fatalities have started rising in recent years after a long decline.
- more than 10,000
- Crashes analyzed
- 11 per cent
- Death risk increase per 10cm
- less than 1.5 metres
- 2005 sedan height
- about 1.9 metres
- Modern ute height
Why it mattersAs car sizes grow to follow global trends, everyday people face greater danger crossing streets and car parks.
AustraliaAustralia's rising pedestrian deaths correlate with our growing preference for large vehicles, a pattern researchers now link to vehicle height.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 7 d ago
