Startling new figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) have exposed a significant safety gap, revealing that hybrid vehicles are involved in fatal crashes at a rate three times higher than traditional petrol cars. The analysis, conducted by the Daily Mail, indicates the greatest danger is not to those inside the cars, but to pedestrians on the street.
The Shocking Statistics Behind Hybrid Dangers
The data shows that in the last year, 122 people died in crashes involving hybrid cars. While this number is lower than the 777 fatalities linked to petrol car accidents, it becomes alarming when considering vehicle numbers. With hybrids outnumbered by petrol models by almost 20 to one on UK roads, their fatality rate per vehicle is dramatically higher.
Road safety experts consulted by the Mail have identified three primary factors contributing to this elevated risk: their heavier design, quieter operation at low speeds, and their popularity as fleet vehicles in busy, pedestrian-heavy city centres.
Why Are Hybrids Hitting More Pedestrians?
Professor Phil Edwards, a health statistics expert from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, stressed the urgency of the situation. 'Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death, particularly for children and young adults,' he said. 'As we already know that pedestrians are twice as likely to be hit by a hybrid car... a national investigation is urgently needed.'
Contrary to what might be assumed, the research indicates that when a collision does occur, hybrids are not inherently more lethal. Professor Zia Wadud from Leeds University noted that, considering factors like speed and conditions, hybrids were actually less likely to cause severe injury in a crash. The core issue is their significantly higher likelihood of being involved in a pedestrian collision in the first place.
This collision rate is driven by a combination of their silent running at low speeds—especially in older models without mandatory Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS)—and their prevalence in urban environments. Hybrids are extremely popular as taxis and private hire vehicles due to fuel efficiency and exemption from charges like London's ULEZ. This means they cover far higher mileages in close proximity to pedestrians.
Debunking the Fire Risk Myth
Some have pointed to a potential fire risk from the combination of battery and fossil fuel systems, with Swedish data suggesting a high incidence. The DfT itself warns that such fires can release toxic chemicals and require specialist handling.
However, evidence from UK roads contradicts this as a major factor. Data from the London Fire Brigade showed just 54 electric vehicle fires in 2019, compared to 1,898 involving petrol or diesel. Professor Oliver Carsten, also of Leeds University, confirmed that battery fires do not seem a likely explanation for the death rate disparity.
The consensus among experts points squarely to usage patterns. Professor Wadud summarised: 'The casualty rates for hybrids is higher, not because they are hybrids per se, but possibly because of the way they are driven.' Their role as high-mileage urban workhorses, combined with weight and quietness, creates a perfect storm of risk for pedestrians.
In response to these findings, Steve Gooding of the RAC Foundation has called for a 'dedicated investigation branch' to specifically address emerging road safety risks like this one.
