15: Pedestrians

Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists are often grouped together under the label of “vulnerable road users” (VRUs). This is because – once they are involved in a crash – they have two distinct disadvantages: (1) they are totally exposed, having no shield at all to protect them in case of a collision (except for the helmets that are worn by cyclists and motorcyclists), and (2) the difference in mass between them and cars or trucks with which they may collide is very large – and not in their favor. These two factors make their likelihood of being seriously injured or killed in collisions much higher than that of vehicle occupants. But pedestrians and bicyclists share other critical features that distinguish them from vehicle occupants, especially drivers. They comprise a much more heterogeneous group in the sense that their age range is greater; their range of cognitive, motor, and visual skills is greater; their movement in traffic is less regulated and more variable; and their compliance with traffic laws and safety regulations is much more variable. All of these differences make them – especially pedestrians – much more difficult to protect. Thus, in many respects pedestrian safety is much more complicated than occupant safety.