The editorial by Simms and O'Neill (See C 34237 fo) on sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and older pedestrians contributes some interesting thoughts to a highly emotive subject. However, I wish to dispel a myth—not all SUVs are poorly designed for pedestrian safety, and not all non-SUV cars offer better protection than SUVs. For example, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) reports that the Honda CR-V scored three stars out of a possible four in 2002, one of the highest pedestrian safety scores recorded. In contrast, the Audi TT roadster scored no stars in 2003 and the Renault Clio one star in 2005. In this world of evidence based practice, the perils of generalisation must be avoided—for example, "The proliferation of sport utility vehicles represents a backwards step in safer vehicle design"—and statements be based on fact. Undoubtedly, car design is a factor in pedestrian safety in an impact, but this is not confined to one particular class of vehicle. (Author/publisher)
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