Ground-impact injuries — a frequent cause of head injuries — were more than twice as common in SUV crashes than those involving cars, the study showed. The findings follow earlier IIHS research that showed SUVs are more lethal than cars to pedestrians despite design changes that have made them less dangerous to other vehicles. That study also traced the increased risk to the height of SUVs’ front ends.
Fatal bicycle crash rates have risen dramatically over the past decade. In 2020, 932 bicyclists were killed on U.S. roads, up from a low of 621 in 2010. One reason may be the dominance of pickups and SUVs in the U.S. vehicle fleet. Research consistently shows that such larger vehicles are more dangerous to bicyclists than cars.
How do we fix those or get rid of them?
Congress passed the bill back in the 70s. They’d have to pass another bill to undo it. With corporate lobbying from the auto manufacturers it’s very unlikely. They make bank on SUVs and trucks. Hell, the only model Ford sells that isn’t a truck or SUV is the Mustang.