More and more SUVs: Higher bonnets endanger children in road traffic!
More and more SUVs: Higher bonnets endanger children in road traffic!
A current study by the European Association of Transport and Environment (T&E) shows worrying trends in the automotive industry. More and more new registrations in Europe have significantly higher bonnets, which in particular affects the view of smaller people, especially children. Since 2010, the average height of the bonnet in Great Britain and the EU has increased by 0.5 cm annually. In 2024 it is assumed that this value will be 83.4 cm.
It is particularly alarming that almost 50% of the new registrations have bonnet that are over 85 cm high, while 1.5% even exceed 1 meter. The trend towards larger vehicles, especially SUVs, is an essential factor for this development. In 2022, over 40% of new registrations in Germany were registered as SUVs and off -road vehicles, which underlines a boom in this segment.
increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists
The higher bonnet is not only a visual problem, but also an increased risk of injury. T&E points out that vehicles with higher bonnets increase the likelihood of serious injuries for pedestrians and cyclists in the event of accidents. An increase in the hood height from 80 cm leads to a risk of over 25% for fatal accidents.
However, the investigation has also shown that there are no significant abnormalities in the accident statistics of SUVs. In 2023, SUVs were involved in almost 10% of accidents with personal injury. Nevertheless, experts warn that the risk of injury not only depends on the height of the bonnet, but also on factors such as the accident situation, speed and vehicle construction.
statistics on traffic safety in the EU
When looking at the general traffic safety statistics in the EU, it becomes clear that thousands of people in traffic accidents lose their lives or are seriously injured every year. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of road traffic fats in Europe fell by 36 percent, which is due to various security -promoting measures.
In 2019 there were 22,800 traffic fatalities, while the figures decreased by 4,000 the following year. Preliminary figures indicate that in 18 EU member states the number of fatalities is at a record low. Particular attention is paid to the age group of 18- to 24-year-olds, which, despite only 8 percent proportion of population, made up 12 percent of the traffic fatalities. Nevertheless, the numbers in this age group have dropped by 43 percent since 2010.
In order to further increase security on the streets, T&E calls for a statutory upper limit of 85 cm for the height of bonnet, starting from 2035, depending on further examinations. These measures could help reduce the risk of serious injuries and fatal accidents, especially for endangered groups.
For more information about the connection between vehicle heights and injury risks, read the reports of KStA.de and Spiegel.de . To get a comprehensive overview of traffic accident statistics in the EU, visit DetailsOrt Deutschland Quellen