Despite the size of the pedestrian injury problem, research to reduce traffic related injuries has concentrated almost exclusively on increasing the survival rates for vehicle occupants. It is suggested that the attitude that little can be done to reduce the severity of injuries to pedestrians has delayed progress. The anatomy of a pedestrian-vehicle crash is outlined, with the windscreen and the bumper being the main areas causing injury to heads and lower limbs, respectively. Remedial suggestions include at least 10cm clearance between the bonnet and underlying hard structures, lower-windscreen pedestrian airbags, an extra layer of energy-absorbing material in the bumper, deeper bumper profiles and support bars below the bumper. NCAP pedestrian tests are described. (Author/publisher)
Abstract