Head impact
About 14 percent of all road fatalities in Europe are pedestrians, with children and the elderly being at greatest risk. Pedestrians comprise one of the main categories of vulnerable road users, which also include cyclists and motorcyclists.
ABOUT 14 PERCENT OF ALL ROAD FATALITIES IN EUROPE ARE PEDESTRIANS
Most pedestrian accidents occur within city areas where speeds are moderate. The head, the lower body and the legs are amongst the most frequently injured body regions. To estimate the potential risk of head injury in the event of a vehicle striking an adult or a child, a series of impact tests is carried out at 40 km/h using an adult or child head form impactor. Impact sites are then assessed and the protection offered is rated as good, adequate, marginal, weak or poor.
The procedure promotes energy absorbing structures, deformation clearance and deployable protection systems such as pop-up bonnets and external airbags.
Introduced in 1997. Upgraded in 2023.