To find out whether SUVs are really safer than cars, scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory analyzed highway traffic fatality data. The findings were surprising.
The authors of this study analyzed fatality data by type of vehicle. They discovered which vehicles caused more fatalities to their drivers, and which were more fatal to other drivers. "Opponents of strengthened fuel-economy standards claimhigher standards will result in more traffic fatalities. If the newfleet were to be like the recent average light vehicle, trafficdeaths probably would increase...Many existing small-car models, built primarily by foreignmanufacturers, are as safe as their larger and heavier (and lessefficient) counterparts...There is reason to expect that manufacturers can further improve the safety of vehicles by making them lighter without making them smaller,...While it is reasonable to expect that increased fuel economy standards would make for lighter vehicles, we have shown that reduced vehicle weight does not imply reduced safety." [Complete report in PDF format, 4.6 MB.]
Thanks to Haila Maze
FULL STORY: Are SUVs Really Safer Than Cars? [PDF, 4.9MB]

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86
Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

DOT Memo Directs Transportation Funding to Communities With Higher Marriage and Birth Rates, Compliance with Immigration Officials and No Mask Mandates
The memo ties immigration enforcement to federal funding and prohibits mask or vaccine mandates.

Housing Measure Wins in Seattle Special Election
Voters approved a new tax that could bring in $50 million per year for social housing.

Resilient Communities, Healthy Ecosystems: A Balanced Approach to Wildfires
Effective wildfire mitigation in California requires a holistic approach that goes beyond large-scale vegetation removal, emphasizing home hardening, defensible space, strategic planning, and reducing human-caused ignitions.

St. Petersburg’s Bike Infrastructure Efforts Pay Off
New bike infrastructure is encouraging more people to take to the streets on two wheels, but advocates say safety challenges remain.
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