The Unpredictability Of Modern Autos Is Increasing.

Today’s cars are larger and heavier, making them more unpredictable than those from 25 years ago. A recent analysis by the American Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that drivers of modern SUVs and pickups have up to 58 percent reduced visibility within ten meters in front of their vehicles.

The study in the SAE International Journal of Transportation Safety analyses six popular U.S. models, including the Honda CR-V and Toyota Camry, focusing on changes in driver visibility over the decades.

The Honda CR-V is a notable example, with visibility dropping from 68 percent in the 1997 model to just 28 percent today. Similarly, the Chevrolet Suburban’s visibility decreased from 56 percent in 2000 to 28 percent in the current model.

The reason for this problem is the ever-higher hoods, more massive A-pillars, and larger rearview mirrors, all with the aim of bachieving etter results in safety tests for the passengers inside the vehicle. But what makes the cabin safer for drivers also makes the outside world invisible. Especially when it comes to children, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Two popular limousine models show the opposite trend. The Honda Accord has lost just five percentage points in visibility since 1997, while the Toyota Camry has held nearly the same level since 2007, dropping from 61 to 57 percent. The traditional, lower body still seems to offer the best forward visibility.

The situation is alarming, as fatalities among pedestrians and cyclists have risen sharply. Between 1997 and 2023, pedestrian deaths increased by 37 percent and cyclist deaths by 42 percent. In 2022, 7,508 pedestrians lost their lives, often due to reduced visibility from the driver’s seat.

As drivers sit higher and their vehicles give them a sense of safety, the irony is that they find it increasingly difficult to see what’s in front of them, especially if it’s moving, low, or unexpectedly crossing the road. New detection and assistance technologies can help to some extent, but physical visibility, which is getting worse, remains irreplaceable.

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