So I see a problem with that. It is all good until you realise that you hit the pedestrian because he was on the phone, he was not looking and he wondered in front of you not on a crossing. Who will pay for repair then?
Who's last time I checked pedestrians were not insured. As that is the case it will be you and me via higher premium.
I don't see what is different to what exists already, other than the pedestrian might be in a slightly better condition due to the airbag. If a pedestrian is walking along the side of the road whilst talking on the phone and steps out in front of you and you hit them it might be reasonable to ask why you didn't anticipate their actions ? Did you identify the hazard and adjust your driving accordingly ? If you felt they were negligent and caused you a loss due to that negligence then you always have the option of suing them.
In London you can hit someone even if you pay attention with people crossing everywhere and not looking. However that was covered in number of threads here. Maybe like this have you seen how much it costs to refill an airbag that went off? It will make the entire minor shunt with pedestrian (not talking big one's) much more expensive affair. I just doubt pedestrian will want to pay while some might not even stay to talk to you. We will see. All in all good idea in any country where jail walking is offence.
He just noticed my predictive text put jail instead of Jay. I would say in London with number of crossings it would be one place where jay walking will not speed up your progress that much.
Balls to airbags, that will just encourage people to walk out in front of you! An array of 4" steel spikes on car bumpers will make them think twice before stepping out?
I was thinking if you are going to crash in to a car better make it be new V40, not old the new one That is if it goes off for bikers?
Look closely he still slammed his face in to concrete I agree pedestrians were those as well and they have to pay for repair of their own unit. But we go in to dictator ship there.
Alternatively a big spike on the steering wheel and removal of seatbelts would concentrate the minds of many motorists.
