According to the hierarchy of road users, who has the greatest risk in a collision?

The hierarchy of road users places pedestrians at the greatest risk in a collision due to their vulnerability. Pedestrians do not have the protective features that vehicles do, such as seatbelts, airbags, or a surrounding structure that can help absorb the impact during a collision. When involved in accidents with any type of vehicle, pedestrians are more likely to suffer serious injuries or fatalities.

This risk is exacerbated by factors such as limited visibility, the unpredictable nature of pedestrian behavior, and the fact that they are often in a space that shares the roadway with faster-moving vehicles. Various studies and statistics consistently show that pedestrians face a higher likelihood of severe outcomes when accidents occur, underscoring their position at the top of the road user hierarchy in terms of risk.

While drivers of heavy vehicles, motorcyclists, and cyclists also face risks on the road, they generally have some protective measures or mitigating factors that reduce their vulnerability compared to pedestrians.