Effects of driver direct visibility in passenger vehicles on the risk of turning crashes with pedestrians

Hu, Wen / Cicchino, Jessica B.
Journal of Safety Research
June 2026

Abstract
Introduction: This study examined if characteristics of direct visibility metrics in passenger vehicles, such as large blind zones, corresponded with higher risk of turning crashes with pedestrians aged 16 years and older. It also evaluated effects of vehicle front structures on some direct visibility metrics.
Method: Single-passenger vehicle, single-pedestrian crashes in seven states were included. Direct visibility metrics included driver- and passenger-side blind zone sizes, front nearest visible point (NVP) distance, and front field of view (FOV) width; measurements were taken on 168 combinations of vehicle make, series, and redesign years. Logistic regression analyses evaluated effects of visibility metrics and other factors on the odds of a left- or right-turning pedestrian crash, relative to straight-moving. Linear regression analyses examined effects of front structures on blind zone sizes and front NVP distances.
Results: For left-turning pedestrian crashes, large (> 30%) and medium (> 20% and <= 30%) driver-side blind zones were, respectively, associated with a significant 75.3% and 62.4% increase in the odds, compared with a small size (<= 20%). A narrow front FOV (<= 85 degrees) was associated with a significant 49.6% increase in the odds, compared with a wide FOV (> 90 degrees). A long front NVP distance (> 9 m) was associated with a significant 35.3% increase in the odds, compared with a short distance (<= 6 m). No significant associations were found between visibility metrics and right-turning pedestrian crashes.
Conclusions: Larger driver-side blind zones, longer front NVP distances, and narrower front FOVs increased risk of left-turning pedestrian crashes. Effects of A-pillars, side mirrors, hoods, and windshields on blind zone sizes and front NVP distances were also validated. Practical applications: Findings could help automakers improve safety for road users outside vehicles with changes in vehicle design to enhance drivers’ direct vision and improvements to AEB technology to address vehicle-turning conflicts.
Abstract Introduction: This study examined if characteristics of direct visibility metrics in passenger vehicles, such as large blind zones, corresponded with higher risk of turning crashes with pedestrians aged 16 years and older. It also evaluated effects of vehicle front structures on some direct visibility metrics.
Method: Single-passenger vehicle, single-pedestrian crashes in seven states were included. Direct visibility metrics included driver- and passenger-side blind zone sizes, front nearest visible point (NVP) distance, and front field of view (FOV) width; measurements were taken on 168 combinations of vehicle make, series, and redesign years. Logistic regression analyses evaluated effects of visibility metrics and other factors on the odds of a left- or right-turning pedestrian crash, relative to straight-moving. Linear regression analyses examined effects of front structures on blind zone sizes and front NVP distances.
Results: For left-turning pedestrian crashes, large (> 30%) and medium (> 20% and <= 30%) driver-side blind zones were, respectively, associated with a significant 75.3% and 62.4% increase in the odds, compared with a small size (<= 20%). A narrow front FOV (<= 85 degrees) was associated with a significant 49.6% increase in the odds, compared with a wide FOV (> 90 degrees). A long front NVP distance (> 9 m) was associated with a significant 35.3% increase in the odds, compared with a short distance (<= 6 m). No significant associations were found between visibility metrics and right-turning pedestrian crashes.
Conclusions: Larger driver-side blind zones, longer front NVP distances, and narrower front FOVs increased risk of left-turning pedestrian crashes. Effects of A-pillars, side mirrors, hoods, and windshields on blind zone sizes and front NVP distances were also validated. Practical applications: Findings could help automakers improve safety for road users outside vehicles with changes in vehicle design to enhance drivers’ direct vision and improvements to AEB technology to address vehicle-turning conflicts.