U.S. agency proposes new rule to reduce pedestrian deaths from vehicle crashes
Focus on large SUVs and pickup trucks as pedestrian fatalities rise
On Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a proposed rule that aims to redesign future vehicles to reduce the risks of serious or fatal injuries to pedestrians. The agency’s focus is on large SUVs and pickup trucks, which have been linked to an increase in pedestrian deaths due to their size and hood height. In 2022, pedestrian deaths rose by 0.7% to 7,522, marking the highest toll since 1981. The NHTSA estimates that the new rule could save about 67 lives annually.
A focus on testing and performance requirements
The proposed rule will establish testing and performance requirements designed to minimize the risk of pedestrian head injuries during collisions, specifically addressing impacts between pedestrians and vehicle hoods. The rule will cover all passenger vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less, with a particular focus on larger SUVs and pickups, which have grown significantly in size over recent years, increasing blind spots for drivers.
According to the NHTSA, pedestrian deaths increased by 57% between 2013 and 2022, a rise attributed to the increasing prevalence of larger vehicles. Nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities occur when pedestrians are struck by the front of a vehicle, with SUVs and trucks being the most common culprits.
Testing with human-like dummies
The rule will implement test procedures that simulate head-to-hood impacts, using human-like dummies that represent both children and adults. This approach is designed to reduce the risk of head injuries in pedestrian accidents.
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman emphasized the need to address the rising number of pedestrian deaths. “We have a crisis of roadway deaths, and it’s even worse among vulnerable road users like pedestrians,” she said. “This proposed rule will ensure that vehicles will be designed to protect those inside and outside from serious injury or death.”
Addressing the rise in SUV and truck sales
Large SUVs and trucks now make up nearly 79% of new vehicle sales in the U.S., which has driven the need for regulations to improve pedestrian safety. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that vehicles with higher, more vertical front ends pose a greater risk to pedestrians. The study found that pickups, SUVs, and vans with hood heights over 40 inches are 45% more likely to cause fatal pedestrian crashes than vehicles with lower hoods.
Additional concerns were raised about the wider pillars used in larger vehicles, which may obscure pedestrians from drivers’ view, especially when crossing in front of the vehicle. Consumer Reports also noted in 2021 that rising hood heights further obstruct drivers’ views, making it harder to see pedestrians in front of vehicles.
Public comments and final regulation
Automakers and the public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed rule, after which the NHTSA will finalize the regulation. The rule stems from a requirement in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that U.S. pedestrian safety regulations be aligned with global standards, with a particular focus on vehicles unique to the U.S. market.