NHTSA rule would reduce the risk of serious-to-fatal injuries of pedestrians

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed a rule intended to reduce fatalities and serious injuries of pedestrians struck by vehicles.

The proposed rule would require new passenger vehicles be designed to reduce the risk of serious-to-fatal injuries in child and adult pedestrian crashes. It would apply to passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.

Among fatalities from pedestrians struck by the front of a vehicle in 2022, 37 percent involved passenger cars and 49 percent involved multipurpose passenger vehicles. A total of 88 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in single vehicle crashes.

“With larger, heavier, higher vehicles becoming more popular in the United States, we cannot ignore the growing body of research that links such vehicles to increased risk for pedestrians,” U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) said. “This new rule is a great step in the right direction, and I look forward to our continued work together to make our communities safer.”

Last month Scanlon introduced legislation addressing the increase in pedestrian fatalities related to increased SUV and pickup truck size. The bill would require the NHTSA to develop vehicle safety standards to protect bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users.

Several safety organizations have endorsed the bill.

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