The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has put forward a new rule aimed at minimizing pedestrian injuries caused by vehicles, particularly large SUVs and pickup trucks. This proposal comes in response to a worrying 57% increase in pedestrian deaths from 2013 to 2022, rising from 4,779 to 7,522 fatalities.
The agency’s focus is on redesigning vehicles to reduce the risk of head injuries during collisions. The rule will apply to all passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds, with a significant emphasis on the growing size and height of SUVs and trucks. NHTSA believes that implementing these design changes could save 67 lives annually.
Responding to a “crisis” of roadway deaths
NHTSA has declared the rise in pedestrian deaths as a crisis, with vulnerable road users like pedestrians at greater risk. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that vehicles with higher, more vertical front ends pose the greatest danger to pedestrians.
Key findings from the IIHS study reveal that vehicles with hood heights over 40 inches are about 45% more likely to cause fatalities compared to those with lower, sloped profiles. The study also showed that blunt front ends increase the risk of fatal pedestrian crashes.
In a 2021 study, Consumer Reports measured visibility in over a dozen new vehicles, including full-size trucks. Researchers found that larger designs increased blind spots by up to 11 feet compared to smaller sedans.
According to Motorintelligence.com, trucks and SUVs have accounted for 79% of new vehicle sales through August of this year, while pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have risen 80% since 2009. NHTSA’s proposed rule aims to address this alarming trend by setting new design standards that could save lives.
Consumer groups advocate for increased safety tech
Automakers and other companies have been working on crash avoidance technologies to enhance pedestrian safety. These innovations include systems that detect pedestrians and automatically apply brakes to prevent accidents.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation has contributed input to NHTSA on pedestrian safety and continues to review the proposal. These safety measures align with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which requires U.S. regulations to match global pedestrian safety standards.
This law emphasizes the importance of protecting vehicle occupants and pedestrians, urging manufacturers to consider safer designs for the U.S. market. NHTSA’s proposal is currently in a 60-day comment period, during which both the public and automakers can respond. Once that period concludes, the agency will finalize the regulation.