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Big Trucks Dangerous For Pedestrians And Small-Car Occupants, Says Consumer Reports

A new report from non-profit consumer organization Consumer Reports has identified some of the dangers that big trucks and larger vehicles present on the road.

According to Consumer Reports, big trucks, including full-sized and heavy-duty models, have a significant frontal blind spot. After measuring front visibility for 15 different models, the organization found that some trucks had front blind spots 11 feet longer than certain sedans. The front blind spots were also 7 feet longer than some popular SUVs. The blind spot increases the chance of a “frontover” collision occurring, with small children being particularly at risk.

Citing KidsAndCars.org, more than 931 frontover fatalities occurred between 1990 and 2019, with the majority of victims aged between 12 and 23 months old. More than 80 percent of the fatalities involved a truck, van, or SUV.

What’s more, over 42,000 people were killed on U.S. roadways in 2020, an increase of 8 percent compared to the year prior, despite fewer miles traveled on average. Consumer Reports also cites a Governors Highway Safety Association statistic that found pedestrian fatalities rose 46 percent in the last decade.

“Research has found that modern pickups—which can have tall hoods, large blind spots, and stiff body-on-frame designs, and which can often exceed 4,000 pounds—are particularly deadly in crashes with pedestrians and smaller, lighter vehicles,” Consumer Reports states.

The organization also reports that the hood height of big trucks has increased by an average of 11 percent in the last two decades, with new pickup curb weight growing 24 percent on average between the year 2000 and 2018.

Despite larger blind spots, heavier curb weights, and longer braking distances, big trucks are also less likely to come equipped with the same standard safety features found on cars and SUVs, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind spot warning. That includes popular models like the Chevy Colorado, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and GMC Canyon, none of which offer automatic emergency braking or blind-spot warning as standard. That said, General Motors told Consumer Reports that its standard-duty pickups will have “at least” automatic emergency braking by 2022.

General Motors also stated that the dimensions of big trucks were desired by customers for greater ground clearance, greater towing capacity, more cargo room, and greater engine cooling.

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Source: Consumer Reports

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. To start with, personally I don’t care what Consumer Reports thinks about anything. Beyond that the article says that 80 percent of deaths “involved a truck, van or suv”. There’s a big difference between the size of and view over the hood of a typical truck or full size suv, verse that of the typical van, mini van, compact truck or compact suv. Lumping all of these vehicles together gives no idea if the taller front ends of trucks, or the lack of nanny features like automatic braking, actually has any bearing on whether trucks are more dangerous to pedestrians. I wouldn’t be surprised to see that far more pedestrian deaths are caused by mini vans and cuv’s, just because of how and where they’re usually used. And I’m sure that the 46 percent increase in the number of pedestrian deaths has far more to do with idiots walking around with their noses buried in their phones, than the size of any vehicle on the roads.

    Reply
    1. Or the drivers of the vehicles with their noses buried in their phones

      Reply
    2. Agreed. Along with the idiotic laws and attitude that they have the right of way so, screw you driver.

      Reply
  2. This sounds like a hit piece on trucks from Consumer Reports.

    Are they going to ignore the fact that BEV cars weight 3600-6500lbs themselves? They could potentially be just as dangerous. A Tesla Model X weighs in the range of 5200-5600lbs depending on how its equipped. A 2021 Silverado 1500 crew cab 4×4 clocks in at 5400-5600lbs. Braking distances aren’t too far apart, about 111ft for the Tesla from 60 mph to zero, 124-130ft in a Silverado from 60mph to zero. Tesla takes that due to its larger braking system and better tire contact patch with its wide, low profile tires.

    A Tesla model X vs a Chevy Impala would probably create a similar accident event as a Silverado vs. an Impala. 5600lbs square to the door in a T-bone with either vehicle.

    Reply
  3. Why isn’t CR providing details on how much larger small cars are now as compared to 2000? I’m sure they have increased more than the increases in trucks. Also, why doesn’t CR emphasize to their readers that small cars aren’t going to fare as well in a crash with a large truck. Oh wait, that takes away all cars that CR recommends to their readers.

    Reply
  4. Buy a Bolt you Dolt, save the planet!

    Reply
  5. In related news, Water is wet.

    Reply
  6. Big truck owners: “Awesome!”

    Reply
  7. i do not have a problem with the size of the vehicle just the irresponsible idiots who think they can drive them like a tank and try to intimidate every smaller vehicle on the road

    Reply
  8. Waif until Mr Biden gets you 7$ a gallon gas. Vehicles will quickly get smaller or electrify.

    Reply
    1. Wait… complaining about the price of fuel and eventually paying “7$ a gallon gas”? Looks like the commies are a little angry with capitalism lately.
      No worries, “the market will decide” what’s best for us all… including price, right?

      Reply
    2. Jake,
      That’s not how things work.
      Don’t follow, like in this case, Fox News, or any corporate media outlet like CNN too. I encourage to pick up an Economics 101 book and learn how free markets work.

      Reply
  9. And so it begins, “insideevs . com” troll the weight of the Hummer EV and the flood gates are open!

    How much does a cement truck weigh? how much does a semi truck weigh?

    How much will the Tesla semi truck weigh???

    Reply
    1. A 2021 Kenworth T680 tractor weights 53200 lbs.

      Reply
  10. What are the cars with the highest bodily injury liability claim rates according to the HLDI of IIHS?

    1. Mitsubishi Mirage G4
    2. Kia Rio
    3. Kia Optima hybrid
    4. Mitsubishi Mirage
    5. Chevrolet Sonic
    6. Nissan Versa
    7. Kia Forte
    8. Ram ProMaster 1500
    9. Dodge Charger
    10. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 4dr

    CR was just disproven.

    Econo-cars are the most dangerous because they are driven by inexperienced drivers with no money, and in city environments.

    Reply
  11. wtf ? How many government and non-governmental. entities are there regarding ” our safety ” there is an organization- Institution- foundation for just about everything i can think of !

    Reply
  12. Giant pickup trucks are great, especially for commuting to the office in rush-hour traffic. There’s so much room for my briefcase. Now if I could just figure out how to park it between the Ines when I get to work….

    Reply
  13. My 2018 GMC pickup isnt any worse to see over than my 04 Silverado I had. Pedestrians need to stay out of the road, it’s their responsibility as much as the vehicle drivers.

    Reply
  14. People buy SUVs because of the higher seating position, but then their view is blocked by ever higher growing hoods which also get longer and obviously must be horizontal like seen on this pickup pictured above.

    Things like that are really dangerous and people who buy that stuff prove themselves as complete fools.

    The hood should better to be short and have a slope declining towards the front.

    Why do automakers like GM and many others produce such junk? Why dont they reduce the wind shield to a narrow slit?

    I watch this in utter disbelief.

    Reply
  15. More like undersized vehicle are a major risk to their purchasers.

    Reply
    1. They risk to crush their own kids playing in the driveway becsuse the huge hood allows them to see objects at least 50 meters away.

      A caterpillar offers better view than this killer car.

      Reply
  16. You know the coastal elites want to regulate pickup trucks out of existence. They don’t know anyone that lives in a flyover state, and pretty much resent their existence anyways. So who cares if they make a living with their trucks and need a large, powerful vehicle?

    Reply
  17. because of govt. mandated rollover protection the thick windshield posts on my 2018 silverado i have blind spots when making turns and almost got hit making a sharp left turn.

    Reply
  18. They needed to conduct a study to conclude that a body on frame truck that is larger and heavier than a much smaller unibody chassis vehicle is going to win in a collision? It must be another slow day over there at Consumer Reports.

    Reply
  19. “Research has found that modern pickups—which can have tall hoods, large blind spots, and stiff body-on-frame designs, and which can often exceed 4,000 pounds—are particularly deadly in crashes with pedestrians and smaller, lighter vehicles,” Consumer Reports states

    Isn’t that a broad statement…
    Which of those 4 listed design traits are particularly more deadly to pedestrians?
    Which is more deadly to smaller lighter vehicles?
    Where and what are the statistics that show how hood height played a role in causing an accident that otherwise would not have occurred?
    In those accidents that hood height caused, how was the height shown to be more deadly against pedestrians, and against smaller lighter vehicles?
    Where is the list compiled of vehicles with curb weights over 4000 lbs?
    What percentage of those are trucks with a rigid body on frame?

    Reply
  20. Ya think?

    But I really, really need this three ton pickup to carry my fruit flavored sparkling water and my “Save the Planet!” signs

    Reply
  21. Consumer Reports what a farce always has been will always be. And is becoming more and more obsolete as time goes on.

    Reply

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