Over 15% of American vehicles plying on the road are big pickup trucks. Texas is the leading state in America with the highest volume of sales, reports Nexstar Media. However, the extended dimension of popular vehicles created a menace in society with hidden dangers.
Consumer reports warn that pickup trucks are bigger than before, which makes them hazardous compared to smaller automobiles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Any four-wheel full-size truck can top up to 5,000 pounds, whereas a mid size truck like a Ford Ranger or Jeep Gladiator may exceed 4,500 pounds. Compact trucks weigh more than 3,500 pounds, just like any SUV. Read more to know better.
It is simple physics – any large and heavy vehicle inflicts more damage on a small car. Consumer Reports researchers identified accident hazards specific to large pickup trucks:
- Pedestrians Not Visible to Pickup Truck Drivers: Latest pickup trucks are taller vehicles having longer hoods to create wide blind spots. This prevents pickup truck drivers from seeing pedestrians directly in the path while maneuvering in the parking lot or driveway. For example, the Ford F-250 has a 55” hood, whereas the Jeep Gladiator’s height is 45.5” off ground. It indicates that the hood is much taller than young children are.
When these larger vehicles collide with pedestrians, the front end of the pickup truck and high bumper are more likely to cause extensive damage than the front end of a small vehicle. Children have much higher risks of injury to the head with these trucks.
A front-over collision is another term for drivers hitting in the blind spot.
- Truck Size Can Be Hazardous: While ranchers and farmers rely on full-sized bigger trucks for utility, they are now switching to bigger trucks. Truck ads show trucks at various construction sites, moving massive trailers, and giving the best performance. Today, pickup trucks are responsible for the increasing death toll. Highway injuries and death increased by 8 percent in the past year, despite the reduced number of miles traveled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Similarly, pedestrian fatalities also increased by 46 percent over 10 years.
- Detailed Findings: According to safety advocates, truck designers can lower hoods to reduce weight, but manufacturers are reluctant as pickups are the greatest source of profit. Likewise, pickup trucks and other bigger vehicles perform badly in CR emergency braking and handling tests. It becomes hard to avoid a crash in such situations.
When a car and truck collide, the driver is most likely to suffer fatal injuries or die. However, if it is not a pickup vehicle, the situation could be different. Pickup trucks are least likely to have safety systems compared to SUVs and sedans. An automatic Emergency Braking system is a mandatory feature with pedestrian detection, to avoid any mishap.
Legal consultation for truck accidents can save many lives. If an accident gravely injures a person, and a pickup truck is involved, only an experienced and expert personal injury lawyer can help. A qualified accident attorney can help you hold the other party accountable for negligent driving or fault for any losses and injuries.
