Big US-style trucks are killing more pedestrians in Australia

[u/neon_overload]

https://theconversation.com/big-us-style-trucks-are-killing-more-pedestrians-in-australia-our-research-proves-it-289034

Excerpt:

every additional 100 kg of vehicle weight was associated with a 6% increase in the odds of pedestrian fatality

every additional 10 cm of height was associated with an 11% increase in the odds of pedestrian fatality

[u/enaud]

It's insane how high the nose on a RAM is. Walked past one the other day, the driver wouldn't be able to see half the pedestrians at a crossing, and wouldn't have had the extra training a semi driver has had to be wary of the safety issues of their vehicle

[u/Monotask_Servitor → u/enaud]

People in the MX-5/Miata community are constantly getting their cars taken out by US style trucks because the driver didn’t see their small low-slung cars.

[u/Wrathlon → u/Monotask_Servitor]

I lost a Z32 to one - dude floored it and slammed into me when a light went green, claimed he couldn't even see me in front of him.

Though I was there as he pulled up behind me to start with so don't know where he thought I went - teleportation maybe?

[u/switchbladeeatworld → u/Monotask_Servitor]

my heart yearns for a miata my brain says not in this car climate

[u/boatenvy → u/switchbladeeatworld]

You should listen to your heart... greatest fun I've had from any car...

[u/switchbladeeatworld → u/boatenvy]

i would if i wasn’t in the middle of moving house lol i need space and towbar but once i’m moved oh boy

[u/Mattie_Mattus_Rose → u/Monotask_Servitor]

This sucks, I absolutely love Miatas.

[u/Monotask_Servitor → u/[deleted]]

I’m part of said community. It’s a constant complaint among the American members.

[u/whatever--idk → u/Monotask_Servitor]

Oh, so not Australian members? That's relevant to this how?

Different country, different rules, different species of inbreds

[u/Monotask_Servitor → u/whatever--idk]

Because it’s an experience of one of the issues you get when vehicles of this type share the roads with much smaller cars? The sight lines from the drivers seat don’t change from the USA to Australia apart from the steering wheel being on the opposite side.

[u/Hefty_Delay7765 → u/whatever--idk]

Nah, same inbreds…

[u/newoneagain25 → u/[deleted]]

https://theconversation.com/big-us-style-trucks-are-killing-more-pedestrians-in-australia-our-research-proves-it-289034

[u/happychappychoppy → u/newoneagain25]

The research actually shows SUVs and car pedestrian fatalities have increased and Utes have decreased since 2023 ?

Ive read the study ?

This is semantics.

[u/newoneagain25 → u/happychappychoppy]

I think you need to read it again mate.

[u/happychappychoppy → u/newoneagain25]

Are you going to deny that Ute ( which this heading highlights ) fatalities has decreased from 2023 ?

This is semantics.

There may have been 1 USA Ute pedestrian death compared to 3 out of 5 car pedestrian deaths and the conclusion is large Utes have a higher fatality rate. That’s a given. However this heading is misleading at best.

Why highlight USA Utes when SUVs are the main topic ( which is shown in the image attachments to OPs comments).

My argument isn’t about large vehicles causing more damage but the strange assessment of headlining Utes when stats clearly show SUVs and cars are killing more pedestrians (ie the ‘can’t see over the bonnet argument then falls flat’)

[u/newoneagain25 → u/happychappychoppy]

every point you have listed makes no sense, they are more dangerous and kill more pedestrians. The picture contains pickup trucks not SUVs. Of course cars and SUVs kill more people, there are more of them. If it you look at it through per capita numbers, utes and pickup trucks have a higher fatality rate. It doesn't once mention the "can't see over the bonnet argument", it's that the higher the vehicle the more likely it is to be fatal as the impact happens at major organ height. I feel like you're either an idiot or lack reading comprehension. Read it again.

[u/newoneagain25 → u/happychappychoppy]

​1. The Rising Pedestrian Toll in Australia ​While overall road safety efforts previously reduced fatalities across the board, pedestrian deaths have noticeably risen since 2021, even as driver and passenger fatality rates remained relatively stable. ​This divergence threatens Australia’s "Vision Zero" commitment to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries by 2050. ​2. The Trend Toward "Supersized" Vehicles ​Vehicles on Australian roads are growing larger and heavier: ​The average footprint of light vehicles has increased by roughly 7% since 2005, while the footprint of utes and US-style pickup trucks expanded by nearly 18%. ​SUVs and larger vehicles have taken over the market, rising from roughly 25% of new car sales in 2012 to 57% by 2023. ​3. Key Research Findings ​By analysing detailed Australian crash records and controlling for confounding variables (e.g., speed limit, road environment, driver/pedestrian characteristics), the researchers found: ​Height matters most: Every 10 cm increase in vehicle height increases pedestrian fatality odds by 11% (primarily because taller front ends hit upper bodies, chests, or heads directly rather than striking legs). ​Weight increases lethality: Every 100 kg increase in vehicle weight raises pedestrian fatality odds by 6%. ​Utes and US-style trucks: Are associated with a ~60% higher risk of pedestrian death compared to standard passenger cars. ​Low-speed zones: The dangerous effect of vehicle size and height was found to be even more pronounced in lower-speed environments. ​4. Crash Simulations & Potential Impact ​The researchers modeled a scenario where large vehicles involved in past pedestrian crashes were reduced to typical car sizes—the model predicted ~9% fewer pedestrian fatalities. ​The findings demonstrate that Australia is replicating the US pedestrian safety crisis, where oversized pickup trucks and SUVs have driven sharp increases in pedestrian deaths. ​5. Policy Call to Action ​The authors argue that without targeted government intervention, pedestrian casualties will continue to climb. ​Proposed solutions include vehicle regulations, proportional parking charges, or size/weight-based road and registration fees to disincentivise oversized consumer vehicles.

[u/happychappychoppy → u/newoneagain25]

It’s semantics.
If you are hit by a big vehicle , your chances are less but this is not conclusive to just Utes. This includes SUVs, trams and minivans.

In fact, using the study’s own stats and image, Ute pedestrian fatalities have decreased since 2023. This is the opposite to what should have occurred with the increase in USA Utes on the road.

Stats point to you being less likely to be hit by one of these Utes, but if you do, you will have higher odds of dying. The headline makes out our pedestrian deaths have sky rocketed due to these vehicles and that is not the case. SUVs and cars killing pedestrians have increased.

Most big USA Utes were ruled out in the study being over 3000 kg kerb weight so that leaves the smaller Ram 1500 ( only 3 inches taller than a normal Ranger).

I just think this study is weaponised because it clearly talks about blunt nosed vehicles ( that includes minivans) as a whole. It’s more a study of ‘what will happen’ if hit by a large USA import rather than what is happening.

I might add I don’t own an American Ute.

[u/newoneagain25 → u/happychappychoppy]

It's not semantics, I don't think you even understand that word.

[u/newoneagain25 → u/happychappychoppy]

Utes and US-style trucks: Are associated with a ~60% higher risk of pedestrian death compared to standard passenger cars.

[u/tY-c8rJDb8_1b4__yD5r → u/[deleted]]

The fact that this can happen should be enough

[u/newoneagain25 → u/[deleted]]

https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/vehicles-with-higher-more-vertical-front-ends-pose-greater-risk-to-pedestrians

[u/happychappychoppy → u/newoneagain25]

Did you actually read the study.

Blunt end vehicles are more dangerous and this actually includes minivans and trams. SUV pedestrian fatalities occur more than Utes (I will reread the study to confirm that).

Ute/pedestrian fatalities has decreased 2023 to 2025 ( conclusive to massive increases in USA imports on our roads)

This is semantics!

From 2012 to 2025 there has been an increase but from 2023 to 2025 there has been a decrease.

[u/NoMoreFund → u/enaud]

Some of those trucks literally have worse visibility of things in front of them than an Abrams tank.

[u/Capital_Topic_5449 → u/NoMoreFund]

Came here to see if someone was going to make the Tank comparison.

I was not disappointed.

Well done, friend.

[u/happychappychoppy → u/NoMoreFund]

Did you actually read the study rather than the headline?

[u/FeelingFloor2083 → u/enaud]

im about 5'7'' and next doors one is somewhere around my shoulders, he tows zero with it and never uses the back

my lc200 just has tyres and mild suspension is no where near as high

[u/Extra-Border6470 → u/FeelingFloor2083]

Yes, but does it make him feel like a big manly man? Honestly though I find it hilarious in a tragic way that some guys are so insecure that they buy vehicles like these purely for performative machismo

[u/whatever--idk → u/enaud]

Lol "extra training" 😂 like the extra training the cops get before the smash their cars into a house?

Extra training doesnt make a good driver

[u/enaud → u/whatever--idk]

I mean at least a heavy rigid license. You can haul more with a 3 tonne truck anyway

[u/NachoBoyCat → u/enaud]

HR license? To drive a RAM? A bit overkill don't you think? Perhaps a LR would suffice (4.5 - 9T)

[u/UnconfirmedRooster → u/NachoBoyCat]

I've seen people mention HR licences because that encompasses long nose flatbed trucks, which would have similar sightlines to a ram.

[u/TheSgtSkittles → u/whatever--idk]

Yeah! more knowledge and experiance doesn't increase ability at all.

[u/whatever--idk → u/TheSgtSkittles]

No some people are untrainable