Kathrine Frich
For every additional 10 cm in hood height, the risk of death for a pedestrian increases by 27%.
For every additional 10 cm in hood height, the risk of death for a pedestrian increases by 27%.
Serious Blind Spots
The growing popularity of taller vehicles like SUVs is creating serious blind spots for drivers, putting children and other vulnerable pedestrians at higher risk.
A new report warns that from the driver’s seat of many modern vehicles, children up to nine years old may be completely invisible if standing just in front of the car.
A Heightened Safety Concern
SUVs now account for 56% of all new vehicle sales in Europe, up from just 12% in 2010. With this surge comes a dramatic rise in vehicle height.
The average front height of new cars has increased from 76.9 cm in 2010 to 83.8 cm in 2024, according to data from Transport & Environment (T&E) and Clean Cities.
Year-on-Year Growth in Size and Risk
Each year, new vehicles in Europe get taller, by roughly half a centimetre.
This creeping growth means today’s average car has a hood high enough to hide a small child in a blind spot, with devastating implications for urban safety, according to El Economista.
A Call for Regulation: 85cm Limit Proposed
In response, T&E and Clean Cities are pushing for new EU regulations to limit car front heights to 85 cm by 2035.
They argue that setting a cap on vehicle dimensions could significantly reduce fatal accidents in cities, especially among pedestrians and cyclists.
Deadly Math: More Height, More Harm
The study found that for every additional 10 cm in hood height, the risk of death for a pedestrian increases by 27%.
Higher vehicles not only obscure the view but also hit more vulnerable areas of the body in a collision.
Other Drivers Are at Risk Too
The danger isn’t limited to pedestrians.
The report highlights that SUVs and pickup trucks with high front ends pose 20% to 50% more risk of serious injury to drivers and passengers in smaller cars during a crash.
A Hidden Danger at Crosswalks
One of the most alarming insights: children crossing at zebra crossings may be completely invisible to SUV drivers.
Despite urban infrastructure prioritizing pedestrian safety, taller vehicles are undermining these efforts due to their blind zones.
Spain and Europe Following the Trend
The trend holds true across the EU, where newer car models are becoming steadily taller.
Campaigners warn that without intervention, urban environments could become even more dangerous for those on foot or bicycle.
The Push for Safer Streets Gains Momentum
Advocates say the auto industry’s obsession with bulk and status must be counterbalanced with regulation.
With more cities aiming for “clean and safe” mobility goals, pressure is building to redesign cars, not just roads, for urban life.