NHTSA Proposes New Vehicle Requirement to Reduce Pedestrian Fatalities

A US regulator said on monday it proposes a requirement that some future vehicles be redesigned to reduce the risks of serious injury or death in accidents involving pedestrians amid an increase in such fatalities.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the new rule aims to reduce fatalities for hitting pedestrians vehicle hoods, especially on pickup trucks and large SUVs which do not currently meet international pedestrian protection standards.

In 2022, the number of pedestrians killed in the US has increased 0.7% to 7,522, the most since 1981, while the number of injured increased by 11%. Number of cyclists killed iincreased 13% to 1,105 in 2022, the most since 1980. NHTSA estimates that new the rule would eliminate about 67 deaths annually.

Car manufacturers should meet a new test that simulates a head-on impact and reduce THE the risks of serious to fatal head injuries in impacts at vehicle speed from above up to 25 mph (40 km/h), which account for approximately 70% of vehicle-pedestrian injuries.

An auto trade association representing General Motors, Toyota Motor, Volkswagen and others did not immediately comment. The regulation would take effect at least two years after a final rule is published.

NHTSA said it is beginning the process of adopting a global technical regulation on pedestrian protection. The agency first presented its plan to adopt the global regulation to the White House in November for review.

Because of the widespread adoption of the global regulation by other countries, most passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. that use international platforms already incorporate head protection models, NHTSA said.

“This proposal would ensure that US-only platforms, such as pickup trucks, would provide the proposed level of pedestrian head protection,” NHTSA said.

The agency said in April it was finalizing rules requiring nearly all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. to have automatic emergency braking systems by September 2029. The regulation requires future vehicles to have an automatic emergency breaking systems designed to automatically stop vehicles before hitting pedestrians or to reduce speed before impact.

Automakers asked NHTSA to reconsider the rule, saying it “will require more expensive systems that will not improve driver or pedestrian safety.”

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