Sports utility vehicles and older pedestrians: Not all SUVs are the same

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7522.967

BMJ 2005;331:967 (22 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7522.967

Letter

Sports utility vehicles and older pedestrians

Not all SUVs are the same

EDITOR—The editorial by Simms and O'Neill on sports utilityvehicles (SUVs) and older pedestrians contributes some interestingthoughts to a highly emotive subject.¹ However, I wish to dispela myth—not all SUVs are poorly designed for pedestriansafety, and not all non-SUV cars offer better protection thanSUVs. For example, the European New Car Assessment Programme(Euro NCAP) reports that the Honda CR-V scored three stars outof a possible four in 2002, one of the highest pedestrian safetyscores recorded.² In contrast, the Audi TT roadster scored nostars in 2003,³ and the Renault Clio one star in 2005.⁴

In this world of evidence based practice, the perils of generalisationmust be avoided—for example, "The proliferation of sportutility vehicles represents a backwards step in safer vehicledesign"—and statements be based on fact. Undoubtedly,car design is a factor in pedestrian safety in an impact, butthis is not confined to one particular class of vehicle.

John S Watts, locum consultant psychiatrist

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Lenworth Clinic, Ashford, Kent TN24 0QE john.watts{at}ekht.nhs.uk

Competing interests: JSW drives a Honda CR-V.