This is it. A 2006 Ford F150 has a hood height of 51 inches, or just over 4 feet. Getting hit by one of these would be bad, but for many people it wouldn’t likely result in a head injury. A 2026 Ford F150 has a hood height of 75 inches, or more than 6 feet tall. Getting hit by one of these as a pedestrian is practically a guaranteed head injury.
I’m sure there are other factors. Higher speeds, lack of investment in infrastructure, political unwillingness to make any changes that might increase congestion or slow down drivers. But I believe hood height is playing a huge role in the type and severity of pedestrian injuries in the US and Canada.
This is it. A 2006 Ford F150 has a hood height of 51 inches, or just over 4 feet. Getting hit by one of these would be bad, but for many people it wouldn’t likely result in a head injury. A 2026 Ford F150 has a hood height of 75 inches, or more than 6 feet tall. Getting hit by one of these as a pedestrian is practically a guaranteed head injury.
I’m sure there are other factors. Higher speeds, lack of investment in infrastructure, political unwillingness to make any changes that might increase congestion or slow down drivers. But I believe hood height is playing a huge role in the type and severity of pedestrian injuries in the US and Canada.