Are Heavier Cars Making Our Roads Less Safe

By Eugene Bruno on October 1, 2024

California is a big place, and Californians love to drive. We love our cars, but do they love us back? A recent study shows that car-related deaths continue to increase, even as new technology creates safer driving standards. Weight is to blame. Why? Because all the new technology in the world simply can’t change the laws of physics. For example, when two cars collide, the occupants of the smaller car experience more damage—they can even be up to four times more likely to die as a result.

Another recent study used data from 7.5 million crashes between 2013 and 2023 and found that for every 10,000 crashes, the heaviest vehicles kill 37 people in the other car, compared with 5.7 for cars of a median weight and just 2.6 for the lightest. What’s more, the situation is getting worse. In 2023, 31% of new cars weighed over 5,000 lbs., compared with just 22% in 2018.

It is no coincidence that the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed by cars has almost doubled since 2010.

Bigger Cars, Bigger Risks: How Vehicle Size is Impacting Road Safety

This data shows that heavier vehicles are safer for their occupants but far more dangerous to others on the road. Car manufacturers say they are giving consumers what they want. However, the trend toward bigger, heavier (and deadlier) vehicles is based on people feeling safer in larger vehicles. This is despite pedestrians and occupants in smaller, light vehicles being much less safe.

A Shift in Safety Standards

It is crazy to think about, but car safety ratings did not take into consideration the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, or the occupants of other vehicles until just last year. Now, car safety ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) consider a higher risk of injury and death to pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. That’s a good first step.

Another good step is redesigning roadways. San Diego has started replacing four-way stop intersections with roundabouts, which saves lives by preventing deadly side-impact crashes.

Is There a Limit?

So, how big is too big when the extra protection provided by heavier vehicles comes at the expense of others on the road? Well, there are signs that Americans’ taste for bigger vehicles may be changing. A survey conducted last year by YouGov, a pollster, found that 41% of Americans think that SUVs and pickup trucks have become too big. However, carbuyers value safety, but mostly for themselves, not society as a whole.

Call Our San Diego Car Accident Lawyers

As car sizes continue to grow, so do the risks for those involved in accidents—especially for drivers and pedestrians facing heavier vehicles. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision, understanding your legal rights is crucial. Don’t face the aftermath of an accident alone.

Schedule a free consultation with the experienced San Diego car accident attorneys at Eugene Bruno & Associates today. Your safety matters, and we’re here to fight for you. Call 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) for help navigating the legal process.