Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Pedestrian Deaths Rise 75% Since 2009 Amid SUV Surge

Since 2009, more people have died while walking in America. This has happened after many years of fewer deaths. A new study shows that larger cars, like SUVs and pickups, are part of the problem. The study says many lives could have been saved if vehicles had stayed smaller.

The report estimates that about 200 to 400 pedestrians could have lived each year if cars were not bigger. From 2016 to 2024, about 3,000 deaths may have been caused by the rising size of vehicles. Bigger cars make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians.

The increase in pedestrian deaths is linked to bigger and heavier cars. These cars have blind spots, which makes accidents more likely. New rules on car emissions have also encouraged the growth of larger vehicles.

Larger vehicles can cause serious injuries to pedestrians. When a big car hits someone, the impact is more dangerous. Experts say it is very important to rethink car sizes to improve safety for everyone on the road.

Test Your Understanding

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

pedestrians/pəˈdɛstrɪənz/noun
people who are walking, not driving

vehicles/ˈviːəkəlz/noun
machines used to carry people or things

emissions/ɪˈmɪʃənz/noun
harmful gases or smoke from cars

impact/ˈɪmpækt/noun
the strong effect or force of a crash

blind/blaɪnd/adjective
not able to see or be seen clearly

rethink/ˌriːˈθɪŋk/verb
think about something again in a new way

How much do you know?

What type of vehicles are part of the problem in increasing pedestrian deaths?
Sedans
SUVs and pickups
Minivans
Motorcycles
How many pedestrian deaths could potentially have been avoided each year according to the study?
100 to 200
200 to 400
400 to 600
600 to 800
What years does the report predict about 3,000 deaths may occur due to rising vehicle sizes?
2010 to 2018
2014 to 2022
2016 to 2024
2018 to 2026
What is one issue that larger vehicles create for drivers?
Easier visibility
More fuel efficiency
Blind spots
Lower cost
What has encouraged the growth of larger vehicles?
Increased taxes on large cars
New rules on car emissions
Decreased demand for SUVs
Safety campaigns
What do experts suggest needs to be rethought to improve safety?
Car colors
Car sizes
Pedestrian zones
Traffic lights
The number of pedestrian deaths in America has decreased since 2009.
Larger vehicles are linked to an increase in pedestrian deaths.
The impact of a larger car hitting a pedestrian is less dangerous than that of a smaller car.
Experts believe smaller vehicles could improve road safety.
Blind spots in larger vehicles make accidents less likely.
Around 3,000 pedestrian deaths are predicted to occur from 2016 to 2024 due to vehicle size.
Since 2009, more people have died while walking in America due to the rise of larger vehicles and their .
The report estimates that about 200 to 400 pedestrians could have lived each year if cars were not .
Bigger cars create that make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians.
New rules on car emissions have encouraged the growth of vehicles.
When a big car hits someone, the is more dangerous.
Experts say it is very important to rethink car sizes to improve for everyone on the road.
This question is required

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
pedestrians/pəˈdɛstrɪənz/noun
people who are walking, not driving
vehicles/ˈviːəkəlz/noun
machines used to carry people or things
emissions/ɪˈmɪʃənz/noun
harmful gases or smoke from cars
impact/ˈɪmpækt/noun
the strong effect or force of a crash
blind/blaɪnd/adjective
not able to see or be seen clearly
rethink/ˌriːˈθɪŋk/verb
think about something again in a new way

How much do you know?

What type of vehicles are part of the problem in increasing pedestrian deaths?
Sedans
SUVs and pickups
Minivans
Motorcycles
How many pedestrian deaths could potentially have been avoided each year according to the study?
100 to 200
200 to 400
400 to 600
600 to 800
What years does the report predict about 3,000 deaths may occur due to rising vehicle sizes?
2010 to 2018
2014 to 2022
2016 to 2024
2018 to 2026
What is one issue that larger vehicles create for drivers?
Easier visibility
More fuel efficiency
Blind spots
Lower cost
What has encouraged the growth of larger vehicles?
Increased taxes on large cars
New rules on car emissions
Decreased demand for SUVs
Safety campaigns
What do experts suggest needs to be rethought to improve safety?
Car colors
Car sizes
Pedestrian zones
Traffic lights
The number of pedestrian deaths in America has decreased since 2009.
Larger vehicles are linked to an increase in pedestrian deaths.
The impact of a larger car hitting a pedestrian is less dangerous than that of a smaller car.
Experts believe smaller vehicles could improve road safety.
Blind spots in larger vehicles make accidents less likely.
Around 3,000 pedestrian deaths are predicted to occur from 2016 to 2024 due to vehicle size.
Since 2009, more people have died while walking in America due to the rise of larger vehicles and their .
The report estimates that about 200 to 400 pedestrians could have lived each year if cars were not .
Bigger cars create that make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians.
New rules on car emissions have encouraged the growth of vehicles.
When a big car hits someone, the is more dangerous.
Experts say it is very important to rethink car sizes to improve for everyone on the road.
This question is required

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