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U.S. pedestrian deaths reach a 40-year high (www.npr.org)

submitted 1 year ago by L4s to c/technology

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[–] Telstarado 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It's the smartphones. I'm in TN, and every time I'm out on the road I see a ton of people devoting most of their attention to their phones while driving. I've even seen the cops here driving and texting 😐.

[–] dantheclamman 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The US is outpacing other developed countries with just as much smartphone use. Perhaps their drivers are better or enforcement is stronger, but part of it is probably also that the average mass, hood height and other stats of US cars are exploding far more than in other countries, as we buy more SUVs and pickups

[–] Telstarado 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Could be, but we've had large cars and SUVs in the US since at least the 50s really, and definitely in the last 40 years.

I grew up watching car commercials in the 80s that gleefully pointed out how the driver of the vehicle being advertised could see over the other cars in traffic due to its height. They also had much crappier brakes and suspensions back then, so the cars themselves were harder to control in a panic situation.

They have also gained in safety features and sensing technologies. Although I'm sure I could kiss my... self goodbye if hit by one of the current behemoths, I'd probably be just as dead if hit by a Honda Civic. Car to car accidents are definitely more lethal if a large vehicle is involved.

We have also shifted towards a state of constant distraction whether behind the wheel or not (I see plenty of folks walking with their face buried in their phone, too - scary stuff considering how many robberies and kidnappings we have here).

Don't know about your city, but in mine it's a rampant problem with zero will to fix it. Next time you're out on the road take a look - there's a characteristic head tilt folks do when they're messing with a phone while driving, bet you'll see it everywhere..

[–] dantheclamman 0 points 1 year ago

Oh yes, I've definitely seen it. Saw a daytime hit and run (the aftermath) probably caused by distracted driving. Just that the fatality rate of crashes has risen. More mass means more momentum transfer means more people dying, and higher hoods mean much higher risk of internal injury