IIHS: Large Blind Zones in Vehicles Increase Pedestrian Crash Risk

Vehicles with large driver-side blind zones are far more likely to strike pedestrians during left turns, according to new research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

In a study of nearly 4,500 pedestrian crashes in seven states, IIHS found that vehicles with large driver-side blind zones were associated with a 70% higher risk of hitting a pedestrian while turning left compared with vehicles that had small blind zones. Medium-size blind zones raised left-turn crash risk by 59%.

Blind zones are created by structural features such as thick A-pillars, bulky side mirrors, tall hoods and the shape of the windshield. These design elements can block a significant portion of a driver’s view, making it harder to see pedestrians ahead of the vehicle.

Researchers used a camera-based measurement technique to evaluated the blind zones of 168 vehicles from the perspectives of drivers of different heights. The measurements helped categorize blind zones, with large blind zones blocking more than 30% of the critical viewing area for left turns.

To examine the connection between fatality risk and vehicle size, IIHS researchers analyzed 17,897 crashes involving a single passenger vehicle and a single pedestrian. They calculated front-end measurements corresponding to 2,958 unique car, minivan, large van, SUV and pickup models, excluding vehicles with pedestrian automatic emergency braking systems.

IIHS also found that certain visibility problems increased crash risk. A front field of view 85 degrees or less was tied to a 51% increase in left-turn pedestrian crashes, while a nearest visible ground point more than 30 feet in front of the vehicle was linked to a 37% increase in crash risk.

Pedestrian deaths have risen sharply in recent years, climbing 78% since 2009 and now totaling more than 7,300 fatalities annually. The growing number of SUVs and pickups with tall, blunt front ends is one factor suspected of contributing to the trend, according to IIHS.

“Manufacturers can make vehicles less dangerous to pedestrians by lowering the front end of the hood and angling the grille and hood to create a sloped profile,” IIHS Senior Research Transportation Engineer Wen Hu, the lead author of the study, stated. “There’s no functional benefit to these massive, blocky fronts.”