Huge blow for electric cars as UK study reveals major increased danger for pedestrians
Electric cars have been helping phase out fossil fuel-powered engine vehicles but they might still pose an even bigger urban areas hazard.
The electric car industry has been delivered a considerable blow after a new UK study revealed the vehicles are potentially more dangerous to pedestrians than regular cars.
The report warned electric vehicles are more likely to hit pedestrians because they're simply too quiet.
While at the forefront of the world's effort to become more sustainable and to replace fossil fuel-powered engines, data has highlighted a major concern for urban areas.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine study reviewed UK pedestrian casualty rates from 2013 to 2017 and calculated incident rates per 100 million miles travelled by both electric and regular vehicles.
What emerged was an alarming figure showing that electric vehicles recorded 5.16 pedestrian casualties per 100 million miles compared to 2.50 for internal combustion vehicles.
The research also warned risks are much higher in urban areas, where electric vehicles were three times more likely to strike a pedestrian compared to a rural setting.
The stark difference was attributed to the lower ambient noise in more secluded areas, which would make it easier to hear approaching electric vehicles compared to a busy city street.
Fossil-fuel engine cars tend to be noisier, emitting sound at around 70 decibels – the equivalent of a vacuum cleaner.
Their electric counterparts are much quieter despite a new rule implemented in 2021 requiring these vehicles to be equipped with a sound generator.
However, the minimum required sound emission is 56 decibels, which is comparable to a loud computer.
Another factor researchers suggested would influence the result of the study is that electric car drivers tend to be younger and less experienced.
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The study laid out a series of suggestions to electric car manufacturers to decrease the risk of pedestrian collisions, including the introduction of an audible warning system.
The systems would emit sounds to alert pedestrians of the arrival of an approaching vehicle by mimicking the sound of a traditional car engine.
Researchers also called for better education of both drivers and pedestrians about the risks they face with both electric and hybrid cars to foster a culture of vigilance.
The study argued car owners should be encouraged to be cautious when behind the wheel, especially in areas with a dense pedestrian population.
They also suggested city planners would further contribute to a safer environment by redesigning urban areas to boost pedestrian safety with better crosswalks and traffic control measures to cut the speed limit.
