VOX article - pedestrian deaths

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Leo Hannenberg

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Apr 28, 2026, 4:27:53 PMApr 28
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Nedeljkovic, Srdjan S.,MD

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Apr 28, 2026, 6:14:35 PMApr 28
to Leo Hannenberg, TAG
Leo,

This is a great article, and it brings up a lot of issues and ideas. I have my own theory on why pedestrian deaths have increased that isn't mentioned in the article.

Over the years,  car windows have been reduced in size, resulting in smaller, narrower glass areas and larger blind spots. Side windows are shorter due to higher door beltlines, and rear windows are significantly smaller. In some vehicles, a backup camera is almost required in order to see anything.

A 2025 U.S. Department of Transportation study evaluated forward visibility in a 180-degree arc from the driver and found that through successive model generations of three popular SUVs from 1997 to 2023, forward visibility within a 10-meter radius fell as much as 58 per cent. 

As an example, please see the two images of the Honda CRV, one from 1997 and the other from 2026.

Apparently, people like to drive in cocoons. Maybe they feel more protected or more secure in their tank-like vehicles. Or maybe they just want to feel more isolated from the world around them. 

The reduction that has occurred with rear view visibility is most pronounced, and many people now depend on bells, whistles, and rearview cameras when they back up. But as cars become more and more autonomous, one may legitimately ask, "Why have any windows at all?"

Srdj
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Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 4:27 PM
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Subject: VOX article - pedestrian deaths
 

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1997-honda-cr-v-105-1591373143.jpg
Screen Shot 2026-04-28 at 6.04.15 PM.png

jane hanser

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Apr 28, 2026, 6:40:27 PMApr 28
to Nedeljkovic, Srdjan S.,MD, Leo Hannenberg, TAG
I am SO glad you’ve brought this up, Srdj. I am SO bothered by the small windows and lack of visibility as a result, and then you have these enormous screens popping out of the dashboard taking up further space and ability to see clearly ahead. Ugh. 

Andreae Downs

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Apr 29, 2026, 4:35:06 AMApr 29
to jane hanser, Srdjan S. Nedeljkovic MD, Leo Hannenberg, TAG
The windows are smaller because the side airbags take that room— safer for those in the car, but at the coat of being more dangerous for those outside 


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On Apr 28, 2026, at 11:40 PM, 'jane hanser' via TAG <Newt...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

 I am SO glad you’ve brought this up, Srdj. I am SO bothered by the small windows and lack of visibility as a result, and then you have these enormous screens popping out of the dashboard taking up further space and ability to see clearly ahead. Ugh. 

jane hanser

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Apr 29, 2026, 7:03:56 AMApr 29
to Andreae Downs, Srdjan S. Nedeljkovic MD, Leo Hannenberg, TAG
Andreae,
It’s not all about air bags. The rear windows are smaller too, as the backs are higher and higher,  and it’s harder and harder for shorter people to see out the back or over those larger & larger screens in front. On highways it used to be faster drivers to the left. That’s gone now. As a driver who’s 5 ft, with vehicles on a highway comjng up quickly on both sides now, there’s no sense of safety in that. Sometimes just a lot of good luck. 
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