by A recent study published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health reveals a concerning trend: pedestrians are approximately twice as likely to be involved in accidents with electric or hybrid cars compared to those powered by gasoline or diesel, based on casualty rates in Great Britain between 2013 and 2017.
The researchers, acknowledging the growing shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles, emphasized the need for governments to address this safety concern as they work towards phasing out fossil-fueled vehicles to enhance air quality and combat climate change. Road traffic injuries rank as the leading cause of death for children and young people, and pedestrian fatalities account for 25% of all road traffic deaths.
As electric and hybrid cars gain popularity, concerns have emerged regarding their potential increased safety risks for pedestrians, particularly in urban areas where background noise levels are higher due to the quieter operation of these vehicles.
To delve deeper into this issue, the researchers analyzed the differences in pedestrian casualty rates per 100 million miles of road travel for electric/hybrid and fossil-fueled cars in Great Britain. They obtained this data from Road Safety Data (STATS19) and estimated annual mileage using National Travel Survey (NTS) data. However, it is important to note that hybrid vehicles were only included as a fuel type in the NTS from 2013 onwards, and data from 2018 onwards is unavailable due to an archiving glitch. Consequently, the study focused on the period between 2013 and 2017.
