Pedestrian accident data recorded in general police accident procedure, for one year in New South Wales, Australia, has been analysed. No significant differences have been found between either the values of injury and fatality per accident or injury location patterns, for car model and makes when they are intercompared.
However sub-analyses indicate that whilst some models with specific design features may be associated with different patterns of injuries than to those without, it is probable that general frontal styling, i.e. contour and height, has a greater influence on pedestrian trauma than does the design of specific features. General styling probably influences the severity of the secondary impacts of pedestrians with the vehicle and the road, which are likely to cause head injuries. Some reduction in trauma is possible through proper scientific design of vehicle fronts. However because of other factors of greater significance, such as the energy of the vehicles and age of pedestrians involved, it is suggested that more attention should be paid to counter measures based on sound traffic and environmental engineering principles.