Why SUVs And Touchscreens Are Raising Crash Risks
About this episode
Crash risk isn’t just about cars—it’s about intersections, people crossing them, and how vehicles are designed. The discussion highlights why light trucks/SUVs can raise pedestrian fatality risk, then shifts to how safety groups coordinate with automakers on crash testing and on reducing pedestrian, impaired, and distracted-driving risks. Modern infotainment also gets attention: multi-screen touch controls and high-speed “punching and working on your computer” can pull eyes off the road. The hosts close with “going back to basics” for street safety.
A pedestrian crash is not just “bad luck” anymore, it is the predictable result of bigger vehicles, faster streets, and nonstop distraction. We sit down with Caroline Cash from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to unpack what state highway safety offices are seeing right now and what changes can actually reduce traffic deaths in the United States.
We get into the uncomfortable design reality behind modern SUVs and light trucks: higher hoods and blunt front ends change where a pedestrian is struck and can make survivability worse than with a lower car profile. From there, we zoom out to how highway safety groups work with automakers on real-world solutions, including better consumer education for advanced safety features and practical ways to help drivers understand what their vehicles can and cannot do.
Then we tackle distracted driving in its newest form: the giant touchscreen in the center console. If you are digging through multiple screens to change basic settings at highway speed, your eyes are off the road, full stop. We talk voice activation, interface design, and what safety-minded design should look like even as brands change how phones connect to the car.
Finally, we go into autonomous driving and why “growing pains” headlines do not tell the full story. Caroline explains how Waymo and others approach safety investigations, how independent data can be more revealing than anecdotes, and why first responder training matters when an automated vehicle meets a real emergency scene. If you care about pedestrian safety, distracted driving, and the future of self-driving cars, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more drivers find it.
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QR code
"So getting that information out, we recently worked with a car company that put hang tags in each of their new vehicles with a QR code and a website where they could learn how that vehicle actually operates, how those safety features work."
A QR code is like a barcode you scan with your phone. Here, it’s used to quickly take you to a webpage so you can learn what the car’s features do.
A QR code is a square, machine-readable code that you scan with a phone camera. In this context, it links to a website where owners can learn how the vehicle operates and how safety systems work.
hang tags
"So getting that information out, we recently worked with a car company that put hang tags in each of their new vehicles with a QR code and a website where they could learn how that vehicle actually operates, how those safety features work."
Hang tags are little labels attached to a new car. In this case, they’re used to help you find information about the car’s features.
Hang tags are small labels attached to a new vehicle (often on mirrors, handles, or doors) to provide quick instructions or references. Here, they’re used to point owners to a QR code and website for learning vehicle operation and safety features.
owners manual
"because what you just said about the QR code and the hang tag, that was called your owner's manual in the past. You read it, now you get someone in there that is technical about that automobile, which I bought my car and the young man sat next to me and said, this is what it does."
The owner’s manual is the book (or guide) that tells you how your car works. They’re saying it used to be mostly something you read yourself, but now some companies make it easier to learn through QR codes and demos.
An owner's manual is the manufacturer’s guide that explains how a vehicle’s systems work and how to use them safely. The speakers contrast older paper manuals with newer, more interactive ways (QR codes and websites) to teach owners about vehicle operation and safety features.
backup sensors
"It still has things on there that I'm discovering with backup sensors and rain sensors and things. If the car is dry and you're backing out of the garage"
Backup sensors help you avoid hitting things when you’re reversing. They detect objects behind the car and warn you so you can stop or steer away.
Backup sensors are proximity sensors that detect objects behind the vehicle while reversing. They alert the driver (often with beeps or a display) to reduce the risk of backing into people, pets, or obstacles.
rain sensors
"It still has things on there that I'm discovering with backup sensors and rain sensors and things. If the car is dry and you're backing out of the garage"
Rain sensors detect when it’s raining on your windshield. They can automatically turn on and adjust the wipers so you don’t have to keep changing them yourself.
Rain sensors are windshield sensors that detect moisture and automatically control wiper operation. The goal is to improve visibility without requiring the driver to manually adjust wiper speed every time conditions change.
voice activation
"One of the things that they are introducing [487.3s] and it's getting better is the voice activation [491.4s] so that you're able to hit a button and speak what you'd like the car to be able to do"
Voice activation means you can talk to the car and it listens. Instead of looking down and tapping the screen, you can give commands by voice, which can be safer.
Voice activation is a hands-free interface that lets you control vehicle functions by speaking commands instead of using touchscreens or buttons. In safety discussions, it matters because it can reduce visual and manual distraction while driving.
app stores
"but not all the cars have that. [502.8s] So certainly, we also work with the app stores. [509.1s] Imagine Google. [510.6s] Most people either have a Google-oriented phone"
App stores are websites or phone sections where you download apps. In cars, apps can be used to control or manage features from your phone.
App stores are marketplaces where smartphone apps are downloaded and updated. For cars, the relevant point is that vehicle features can be controlled through apps, which can change how drivers interact with the infotainment system.
General Motors
"So how do you address that [528.3s] when it comes to General Motors doing away [530.4s] with the Apple and Android functions [535.2s] and going with the General Motors system?"
General Motors is a big car company. They’re changing how your phone connects to the car, which can change how easy (and distracting) it is to use features while driving.
General Motors (GM) is a major automaker that controls the software and ecosystem used in many of its vehicles. In this segment, GM is described as changing how Apple/Android phone integration works, which can affect driver distraction and usability.
Apple and Android functions
"when it comes to General Motors doing away [530.4s] with the Apple and Android functions [535.2s] and going with the General Motors system?"
“Apple and Android functions” refers to smartphone integration features commonly used to connect an iPhone or Android phone to a car’s infotainment system. When these integrations are removed or replaced, drivers may have to use different controls, potentially increasing distraction if the new system is less familiar.
screen
"or they are considering how best [561.0s] to design that screen with safety in mind [564.1s] so that you're not having to go through [565.8s] 34 or five screens to get to the air conditioner"
They’re talking about the car’s main display screen for controls. If you have to tap through several menus to change something like the AC, it can pull your attention away from the road.
This refers to the in-car infotainment display used to control functions like climate. When it takes multiple taps to reach something (like the air conditioner), it can increase driver distraction compared with simpler controls.
air conditioner
"so that you're not having to go through [564.1s] 34 or five screens to get to the air conditioner [568.8s] when you're traveling down the highway."
The air conditioner is the car’s climate control. If you have to dig through menus on the screen to change it, that can distract you while driving.
The air conditioner is a climate-control function that many drivers adjust while driving. If reaching it requires navigating multiple touchscreen screens, it can become a distraction hotspot.
autonomous driving
"Okay, now, so here's the one that I have become much more familiar with here in the recent, actually recent months, autonomous driving."
Autonomous driving means the car can do the driving tasks by itself using cameras, sensors, and computers. Some systems still expect a person to watch and be ready to take over.
Autonomous driving is the use of vehicle sensors and onboard computers to perform driving tasks (like steering, speed control, and lane keeping) without a human actively driving. Depending on the system, it may still require a driver to monitor and take over when the automation can’t handle a situation.
Waymo
"You know, we have partnered with Waymo, for example, and certainly they're, you know, it's easy."
Waymo is a company that builds and runs self-driving car technology. The hosts mention it to illustrate real-world partnerships around autonomous vehicles.
Waymo is a company focused on self-driving technology and autonomous vehicle operations. In the context of this discussion, it’s used as an example of how safety and insurance/industry partners work with autonomous-driving manufacturers.
software issues
"And so when we see a story that covers a mistake or, you know, frequently they've in the press, the software issues."
For self-driving cars, “software issues” means the computer program isn’t working correctly. Since the car depends on that software to understand the road, mistakes can affect safety.
In autonomous vehicles, “software issues” refers to problems in the driving software—such as perception errors, planning mistakes, or bugs that can cause unsafe behavior. Because these systems rely heavily on code, software reliability is a major part of crash-risk discussions.
automated vehicles
"We have never had to say to any of these manufacturers of automated vehicles, what are you doing? They're the first ones that say, stop."
Automated vehicles are cars that can drive using sensors and computer software. Instead of a person doing everything, the car handles parts of driving—like steering and braking—on its own.
Automated vehicles are cars or trucks that can perform some driving tasks without continuous human control, using sensors and software to steer, brake, and accelerate. The key point in safety discussions is how the system handles edge cases and how responsibility is managed when something goes wrong.
safety upgrades
"And we need to make a safety upgrade, a safety change. And so we welcome their focus on safety."
A “safety upgrade” is a change meant to make a system safer. For self-driving cars, it usually means updating the software or how the car reacts to avoid problems.
A “safety upgrade” is an improvement made to a system to reduce the chance or severity of accidents—often after incidents or testing reveal weaknesses. In automated driving, it can mean software changes, sensor/behavior tuning, or updated safety rules.
data
"So when you look at the data, there's, and there was just, there's a study that's going to be released early next week"
Here, “data” means the evidence people use to judge safety—like records of what happened on the road. The argument is about whether that evidence shows one system is safer than another.
In this context, “data” refers to recorded evidence used to evaluate driving safety—such as crash reports, incident logs, and performance metrics. Safety debates often hinge on whether the data is collected consistently and interpreted correctly.
Waymo automated vehicle
"And the bottom line is the Waymo automated vehicle, when it comes to crashes, is far safer than a human driver."
Waymo is a company that builds self-driving cars. Here, they’re talking about how Waymo’s self-driving cars compare to human drivers in crash safety.
Waymo is an autonomous-driving company, and the “Waymo automated vehicle” refers to its self-driving system operating in real-world traffic. The episode uses it as a safety comparison point, arguing that crash outcomes are better than human driving when you look at the data.
crashes
"And the bottom line is the Waymo automated vehicle, when it comes to crashes, is far safer than a human driver."
“Crashes” are the collisions you can measure in safety studies. When people compare crash rates, they’re trying to see whether one type of driving is safer than another.
In safety analysis, “crashes” are used as an outcome metric to compare how often vehicles (human-driven vs automated) end up in collisions. The important nuance is that crash counts can be influenced by how much the vehicle drives and what scenarios it encounters.
first responders
"And so we created an online course for first responders [812.0s] so that they understand how to approach a Waymo, [815.2s] how to work with the Waymo,"
First responders are the people who show up first at an emergency, like firefighters, paramedics, and police. The discussion is about training them to handle situations involving a self-driving vehicle.
First responders are trained personnel who arrive at emergencies first, such as police, fire, and medical teams. The segment focuses on specialized training so they know how to approach and coordinate around a Waymo during incidents.
crash ratings
"You know, on Windows stickers of new cars now, [846.5s] there is a crash rating. [853.4s] Do you guys have any influence on that crash rating at all?"
A crash rating is a safety score for a car. It comes from crash tests, so you can compare how well different cars protect people in accidents.
A crash rating is a standardized score that reflects how well a vehicle protects occupants in specific crash tests. It’s meant to help shoppers compare safety performance across different models using the same testing framework.
Insurance Institute of Highway Safety
"That is done independently [861.1s] the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety [862.4s] does the science and research, [865.3s] and then we will promote their findings."
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety is a group that tests cars for crash safety. They publish the safety scores you often see referenced on new-car labels.
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent organization that conducts vehicle crash tests and publishes safety ratings. In the segment, the host attributes the crash-rating “science and research” to IIHS.
ICE engines
"However, as a note, now according to the state of California, by 2-1 in 27, no more ice engines. So Disney's trying to figure out how they're going to handle this."
ICE engines are the normal gas engines you’re used to—cars that burn gasoline to run. The point here is that California is moving away from those, so places like Autopia would have to change their cars.
ICE stands for internal combustion engine, the traditional gasoline/diesel engine that burns fuel to make power. The speaker is saying California’s rules are pushing these engines out, which would directly affect experiences like Autopia that historically used gas-powered cars.
EV
"If they're going to go to all EV, whatever they're going to do, but the ice engines are going away."
EV just means an electric car. Instead of burning gasoline, it uses electricity to power the motor. If Disney switches Autopia to EVs, it won’t sound or smell like the old gas cars.
EV stands for electric vehicle, meaning the car is powered by one or more electric motors instead of a gasoline or diesel engine. In the context of Autopia at Disneyland, switching to EVs would change the driving experience and the sound/smell compared with traditional internal-combustion cars.
Cadillac V16
"... this. It was a massive luxury car with a massive V16 engine in it. Now, it's really a good looking car..."
The Cadillac V16 is an old luxury car made by Cadillac. The big deal is its V16 engine, which is an unusually large engine with many cylinders. It’s often mentioned because it was built to feel extremely smooth and comfortable, like a top-of-the-line luxury statement.
The Cadillac V16 is a historic, ultra-luxury Cadillac model known for its massive V16 engine and flagship-level comfort. It’s significant because it represents an era when manufacturers built extremely large engines to deliver smooth, powerful performance and a top-tier luxury experience. It may be discussed in a podcast as a standout example of engineering ambition and how luxury cars were defined by size and refinement.
Ferrari Portofino
"...Red Ball Garage on the East Coast and went to the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach in California. Now, it was..."
The Ferrari Portofino is a high-end sports car made by Ferrari. It’s meant for comfortable driving over longer distances, and it’s known for being stylish and fast. People talk about it because it’s a recognizable Ferrari that’s still practical enough to enjoy on everyday trips.
The Ferrari Portofino is a luxury grand touring sports car from Ferrari, designed for comfortable high-speed driving with a more usable everyday feel than many pure track-focused models. It’s often discussed because it pairs classic Ferrari styling with a modern, performance-oriented powertrain and a convertible body style. In a travel or lifestyle conversation, it also tends to come up as a recognizable “destination” car—something that fits both the look and the drive to get there.
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