US proposes new pedestrian safety rules: Here's how they impact SUVs and pickup trucks

LOS ANGELES - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is pushing for new safety regulations to address the rise in pedestrian fatalities, particularly from SUVs and trucks. The proposed rule focuses on redesigning vehicles to reduce pedestrian head injuries, with testing requirements simulating head-to-hood impacts using dummies. 

This comes after a 57% increase in pedestrian deaths from 2013 to 2022, with larger vehicles accounting for a significant share of these fatalities. NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman emphasized the importance of protecting both pedestrians and vehicle occupants with these new measures.

Why are pedestrian fatalities rising?

Larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks, which now make up nearly 79% of new vehicle sales in the U.S., have become a key contributor to pedestrian fatalities. Studies have shown that these vehicles’ taller hoods and wider roof pillars obstruct drivers’ views, creating larger blind spots and making it harder to spot pedestrians, especially those close to the corners of vehicles.

An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study revealed that vehicles with hood heights greater than 40 inches are 45% more likely to cause pedestrian deaths than smaller cars with sloping hoods. This is compounded by a Consumer Reports study, which found that hood heights have increased by 11% since 2000, obstructing driver visibility.

How will the new rule impact vehicle design?

The proposed NHTSA rule, required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, sets out specific test procedures for manufacturers. Vehicles will need to pass head-to-hood impact tests, using dummies that simulate both children and adults. The goal is to reduce the risk of severe head injuries during pedestrian collisions, potentially saving 67 lives per year.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry trade group, noted that automakers have already made progress in developing crash avoidance technology, but emphasized that they would review the proposal carefully.

Automakers and the public have 60 days to comment on the proposal before NHTSA finalizes the new regulation.

The Source

This article is based on the latest findings and proposals by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as well as input from safety organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports. The Associated Press contributed to this story.