A Tesla Cybertruck driver was killed in what appears to be the first reported fatal crash involving the electric pickup truck, which has yet to undergo third-party crash testing.
Recent data indicates that Cybertruck may have achieved the highest sales among electric pickup trucks in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2024. With an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 units already on the road and a reported sales rate of 1,754 units per month, the Cybertruck is increasingly visible on roadways.
Well… say hello to a lot more fatal crashes. Involving pedestrians.
The cybertruck front is actually lower than a lot of other comparable trucks, and has a slanted hood, both things that will reduce pedestrian fatalities compared to some of the other flat neck high bricks out there.
It’s just a matter of does the truck cut them in half or not with that front edge of which we don’t have any data on yet.
Eg. This is beside a f150 raptor
Unfortunately the materials really matters with pedestrian motor vehicle accidents. When I first started working in orthopedics and rehabilitation, metal fenders and bumpers were still regularly on the roads and causing very specific injuries.
When a metal bumper hits you, it doesn’t just cause blunt force trauma, it tends to shear muscle away from the bone. There was a specific ankle foot orthosis that was widely produced up until the early 2000s that was meant to replace calf muscles that were scooped off by metal bumpers.
This truck is basically a giant flying wedge of stainless steel, I don’t see any pedestrian walking away from an accident with this monstrosity.
Any thoughts on how the plastic bumper at the bottom might impact that? Do you think that might make any difference at all? You’re still going to hit the metal parts regardless, but that initial impact might be plastic, (edit: and then start the forces of throwing you onto the hood)
I really wanna see a 3rd party agency test this so we can finally get some answers, but with the lower front/angle, but the metal/front edge, it might even turn out to be a less fatalities, but more injuries type of situation. That edge is going to be the key factor.
Less deaths wouldn’t excuse more injuries though. I half wonder if the NHSTA will eventually force Tesla to add some sort of rounded plastic thing around the front edges.
Edit: I just want to clarify on the injury/death ratio, I don’t mean that the deaths just turn into injures, but that there is actually more injures. Like if there was 100 pedestrian accidents, and other trucks were 10deaths/20 serious injuries, that the CT might be 5 deaths / 50 serious injuries.
That’s not entirely accurate, a cyber truck has adaptive suspension that can lift the truck as much as what you’d get on a 6" lift. In the Pic you are showing it’s at it’s lowest position.
This is beside a f150 lightning, and the CT is a little more raised on this one. Not sure about the lightning though with the angle
It’s still lower than many other trucks even when higher. This is the driving position and the most efficient for aero. They could drive in higher modes though yes.
It also has sharp corners that will ruin your day- instead of Bouncing off fairly flexible body panels, that are round and blunt, you’re getting nailed by rigid, sharp corners.
Which concentrate what force is there.
Well that’s my comment about getting cut in half.
But it’d almost be certainly be better to get hit by a lower, slanted shape even if solid than a slightly flexible higher flat wall
Higher is bad in general and many trucks are comically high.
That Ford grill is made out of ABS plastic, like a big Lego.
The Cybertruck is made out of steel, like an anvil.
As trucks get taller, you’re more likely to get impact wounds on vital organs and pushed forward and RUN OVER which is going to be a worse time for you.
The CyberTruck is more likely to get you onto it’s hood (unless it’s fully raised at the time), which should increase your survival chance ASSUMING that edge doesn’t increase lethality and only increases injuries.
Edit: Also newer cars (not trucks AFAIK) even have special features within their hoods to further increase the likely hood of not getting injured. On newer Model 3’s for example it could pop up during an accident to act as a better cushion when you hit it.
Edit: Further, and this goes for all vehicles, if you know you’re about to get hit, get your feet OFF the ground. It will reduce the friction and increase your odds of going onto the hood if it’s not a brick wall you’re hitting instead of being pushed forward/run over.
