Behind the Wheel

“Behind the Wheel” focuses on how modern tall pickups can be more lethal to pedestrians than smaller cars, using a Times investigation. The newsletter begins by noting broader news developments, then shifts to the author’s experience driving a 2017 Toyota Tundra, whose hood starts about 50 inches off the ground, compared with a wife’s 2014 Ford C-Max at 31 inches. It says an analysis found trucks with hoods over about 50 inches are far deadlier for pedestrians, which it attributes to hood height and larger blind spots. Simulations described using 20 mph pedestrian-impact scenarios show a sedan’s hood height (around 2.5 feet) could allow survival chances, while a modern pickup closer to four feet can strike higher, push the pedestrian down, and run over the person. The piece also cites that pedestrian deaths rose about 75% since 2009.