Hybrid Cars and SUVs Are About Twice as Likely to Kill

Multiple Choice

Hybrid cars and SUVs are about twice as likely to kill pedestrians as their gas/diesel counterparts are. These deaths may not have been due to how silent hybrids are. A careful study of more than 200,000 traffic-related fatalities shows that most fatalities occurred when the hybrids were going faster than 35 mph-when they were making the same amount of noise as a conventional vehicle. The difference in fatality rates could be due to market distribution differences: Hybrids could be more common in crowded areas with high levels of pedestrian traffic, which in turn could lead to a higher chance of pedestrian accidents.
Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A) This study is an example of how association does not imply causation.
B) Market distribution differences create a potential confounding variable.
C) Market distribution differences cause higher rates of pedestrian fatalities.
D) There is an observed association between vehicle type and rate of pedestrian fatalities.