This report reviews briefly what is known about the biomechanics of pedestrian collisions. Some epidemiological considerations are mentioned and then pedestrian injuries and their origins are discussed. The influence that vehicle shape and resilience have on pedestrian injury is thought to be considerable and bumpers of cars are singled out as one particular feature which should be improved immediately. The relative influence of vehicle and road surface contacts are discussed and means of mitigating the latter are mentioned briefly.
Abstract