Featured IIHS measures pedestrian crash systems

Source: New ratings address pedestrian crashes

Reducing pedestrian crashes is the goal of new IIHS ratings of automatic emergency braking systems that can detect and brake for people on foot. In the first tests of 2018–19 vehicles with this crash avoidance feature, 9 of 11 small SUVs evaluated earn an advanced or superior rating for pedestrian crash prevention.

The 2018–19 Honda CR-V, 2019 Subaru Forester, 2019 Toyota RAV4 and 2019 Volvo XC40 earn the highest rating of superior. Five models earn an advanced rating. They are the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, 2018–19 Hyundai Kona, 2019 Kia Sportage, 2018–19 Mazda CX-5 and 2019 Nissan Rogue. The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander is rated basic, and the 2018–19 BMW X1 doesn't receive any credit for a rating. Pedestrian detection is standard on the Forester, RAV4, Rogue, X1 and XC40.

The ratings come amid renewed focus on the problem of crashes involving pedestrians. Pedestrian deaths have risen 45 percent since reaching their lowest point in 2009 (see "On foot, at risk: Study highlights rising pedestrian deaths, points toward solutions," May 8, 2018). In 2017, 5,977 pedestrians died in crashes in the U.S., down 2 percent from 2016, which marked the most deaths since 1990.
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One of my objections to the "Bell the Hybrid" law is it would be ineffective. Designed to help the blind, the accident statistics show it has be an abysmal failure. Sighted pedestrians and bicyclists are not trained to listen for the synthetic noise generators. But active sensors in the cars can accomplish what is needed protecting both cars and pedestrians.

Well this is progress, a decade late!

Bob Wilson