Pedestrian casualties:​ the decreasing statistical trend

Vallee, Harold; Thomas, Christian; Tarriere, Claude

Protection of vulnerable road users and especially pedestrians is one of the problems to be solved in the field of road safety.

Since the beginning of the seventies, many changes have been observed in the magnitude of pedestrian casualties in most of the more motorized countries. The total number of pedestrian fatfllities have been divided by 3 in West Germany (6,000 to 2,000) and by 2 for Japan and all Europe, while the vehicles in use greatly increased.

This interesting phenomenon is studied on the basis of available world road statistics. Differences between countries in terms of relative importance of pedestrian casualties, accident areas, alcohol influence, age of victims, violence of impact and risks are also given.

Consequences of these statistical facts on improvement in pedestrian protection are discussed.

Year

Entry

1987

Hoefs R, Heinz M. A bumper for both pedestrian and vehicle body protection: a contradiction in terms or a soluble conflict? In: Proceedings of the 11th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). May 12-15, 1987; Washington, DC.821-830.

1979

Ashton SJ, Mackay GM. Some characteristics of the population who suffer trauma as pedestrians when hit by cars and some resulting implications. In: Proceedings of the 1979 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 5-7, 1979; Goeteborg, Sweden.39-48.

1985

Hobbs CA, Lawrence GJL, Clarke CS. PSC1: a demonstration car with improvements for pedestrian protection. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). July 1-4, 1985; Oxford, England.31-38. SAE 856011.

Year

Entry

1994