Vehicle size makes them more dangerous
No real surprise here. The long trend towards monster SUV and Pickups is killing people who aren't in the vehicles. Also more dangerous for people who decide to keep a small car. Deadly by design, and that doesn't coiunt the increased pollution from exhaust, brake dust and tire wear.
The original is in French. But my windows or google translater works well on it.
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Vulnerable users and occupants of small cars risk paying the price
In recent years, cars have become heavier, taller and more powerful. While passengers on board are increasingly safer in the event of an accident, the same cannot be said for passengers in smaller vehicles and vulnerable users. Thus, in a collision between two cars, one of which weighs at least twice as much as the other, the occupants of the light vehicle are 3 times more likely to suffer serious injuries than when the two vehicles have a similar mass. Likewise, the risk of fatal injuries for a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a car whose hood is 10 cm higher than average increases by 30%. These are the conclusions of a new study by the Vias institute which examined all the accidents that occurred between 2017 and 2021.
Vehicle mass
Vehicle mass has both a protective and “aggressive” effect: occupants of heavier vehicles are less likely to be seriously or fatally injured, while their opponents are more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries.
Let's take the example of a collision between a 1600 kg car and a lighter 1300 kg car. The risk of fatal injuries:
decreases by 50% for occupants of the heaviest car;
increases by almost 80% for occupants of the lighter car.
https://www.vias.be/fr/newsroom/des-voitures-plus-lourdes-plus-hautes-et-plus-puissantes-pour-une-securite-routiere-a-deux-vitesses-/
= new reply since forum marked as read
They are safer to be inside, more comfortable and get just as good gas mileage as small cars now. Also better for Wintry conditions and rougher terrain. The signs point towards more people getting larger cars.
That being said, I don’t think the answer should ever be “buy a smaller car.” But rather, don’t speed, drive like an asshole -or as if anybody else’s life doesn’t depend on how you drive. Unsafe driving puts everybody’s lives at risks regardless of the type of car you are in.
