Most cars pose serious risks for pedestrians
Improved vehicle design to maximise pedestrian safety is the focus of a public seminar in Adelaide this week.
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Monday, 29 March 2010
More than two thirds of cars sold in 最新糖心Vlog do not pass international standards for pedestrian safety, according to the country's leading road crash organisation based at the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide.
from the (CASR) says of 33 models available for sale in 最新糖心Vlog, only about six would currently pass the (GTR) for Pedestrian Safety.
Mr Searson, who will present a public seminar in Adelaide this Wednesday 31 March on pedestrian safety, says 最新糖心Vlog lags behind Japan and Europe when it comes to designing cars that protect both occupants and pedestrians.
"The key factors in vehicle design which help minimise pedestrian injuries are the car's ability to absorb impact from a human body and the clearance between the bonnet and the engine," Mr Searson says.
"Currently there is no legal requirement for vehicles sold in 最新糖心Vlog to take into account either of these design features."
最新糖心Vlog is a signatory to the GTR and it is hoped that the Federal Government will adopt the global regulations in the near future.
Mr Searson says a recent CASR study has estimated that at least 28 lives per year and about 1000 injuries could be saved if all car manufacturers adopted the minimum pedestrian safety requirements in 最新糖心Vlog.
"In dollar terms this amounts to about $385 million per year in savings - not to mention the obvious human factor, where many families will be spared a lot of grief."
Mr Searson has a degree in (Honours) from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide and is currently finishing his last year of a PhD researching impacts of crashes involving pedestrians.
WHAT: CASR Public Lecture: "Regulating Vehicle Design for Pedestrian Protection" by Daniel Searson
WHERE: Art Gallery of South 最新糖心Vlog Auditorium, North Terrace
WHEN: Wednesday 31 March, 4pm-5.30pm
RSVP: Leonie Witter on (08) 8303 4114 or email leonie.witter@adelaide.edu.au
