Which of the following speeds is generally considered to be the upper limit of crash survivability for most pedestrians and cyclists?

The correct answer is 19 mph (30 kph), which is significant as research indicates that this speed represents a critical threshold for crash survivability among pedestrians and cyclists. At this speed, the likelihood of serious injury or fatality increases dramatically.

When a vehicle traveling at 19 mph strikes a pedestrian or cyclist, the impact force is substantial enough to cause severe trauma. Data from various studies show that above this velocity, the risk of death or major injuries escalates significantly, as the kinetic energy involved in the collision becomes overwhelming for the human body to withstand.

Options reflecting speeds lower than 19 mph do not adequately capture the upper limit of survivability; while collisions at these lower speeds can still result in injuries, they are statistically less likely to be fatal compared to impacts at higher speeds. Conversely, options that present speeds higher than 19 mph, such as 37 mph (60 kph) and 43 mph (70 kph), greatly exceed the threshold for optimal safety and survivability, as the consequences of a collision at these velocities are likely to be fatal for pedestrians and cyclists. Thus, 19 mph is recognized in traffic safety discussions as a pivotal speed regarding pedestrian and cyclist safety.