Electric, hybrid cars more likely to hit pedestrians, study finds
A recent analysis of the UK's road traffic accidents has revealed a startling trend: hybrid and electric cars are more likely to be involved in accidents with pedestrians, than their petrol or diesel counterparts. The study examined data from 51.2 billion kilometers of EV car travel, and 4.8 trillion kilometers of petrol and diesel car trips. They found that electric and hybrid vehicles were twice as likely to hit pedestrians. In urban areas, this likelihood increased threefold.
Quiet nature of electric cars poses hazard
The reasons behind increased risk of pedestrian accidents with electric/hybrid cars remain unclear. However, researchers speculate that factors like the younger age and lesser experience of electric car drivers, coupled with the significantly quieter nature of these vehicles compared to combustion engines, may contribute to this trend. "Electric cars are a hazard to pedestrians because they are less likely to be heard than petrol or diesel cars," said Phil Edwards, a professor at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Pedestrian fatalities and electric vehicles: A closer look
Road traffic mishaps are the leading cause of death among children and young adults in the UK, with pedestrians accounting for a quarter of all road fatalities. A 2017 report by the US Department of Transportation found that EV and hybrid cars posed a 20% greater risk to pedestrians, than petrol and diesel cars, particularly during low-speed maneuvers. Edwards advised drivers of electric vehicles to exercise extra caution due to their quiet nature.
UK study highlights danger of electric cars in urban areas
The UK study, which analyzed road accident data from 2013-2017, found that while most cars on the road were petrol/diesel - involved in three-quarters of pedestrian collisions, EVs posed greater risk for the same distance traveled. The average annual pedestrian casualty rate per 160 million kilometers traveled, stood at 5.16 for EV/hybrid cars, compared with 2.4 for petrol and diesel models. In urban areas, battery-powered cars were three times more likely to collide with pedestrians.
Acoustic alert systems and the role of sound cues
Since July 2019, all hybrid and electric cars sold in Europe are required to have an acoustic vehicle alerting system, that emits sound when the four-wheeler is traveling slowly. However, hundreds of thousands of EVs on the road do not have these devices installed. Professor Nicola Christie from University College London, emphasized that people rely on sound cues to judge the presence, location, and speed of vehicles, warning that missing them could be problematic for those in busy urban areas.
