New NHTSA Rules Target SUV and Truck Design to Curb Pedestrian Fatalities

NHTSA Proposes New Vehicle Rules to Reduce Pedestrian Deaths

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed new vehicle rules this week aimed at reducing pedestrian fatalities. The proposal, which targets the increasing size of SUVs and trucks, marks the first time in over 50 years that NHTSA has suggested rules requiring automakers to alter vehicle designs specifically to prevent pedestrian deaths.

David Zipper, a senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative, praised NHTSA’s focus on vehicle design rather than solely relying on pedestrian detection technology. The proposed rules would update the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to include testing procedures for head-to-hood impact, requiring automakers to test vehicles using crash test dummies representing both adult and child pedestrians.

The proposal comes amid a pedestrian safety crisis in the United States. Angie Schmitt, author of “Right of Way,” noted that the U.S. has never officially used pedestrian crash test dummies. This initiative arrives during a particularly deadly period for pedestrians, with cars killing approximately 40,000 Americans annually.

While automakers have improved safety for vehicle occupants, pedestrian safety has been largely neglected. The trend towards larger and heavier SUVs and trucks has exacerbated the problem. In 2023, 31% of new cars in America weighed over 5,000 pounds, up from 22% in 2018. The shift to electric vehicles has further increased vehicle weights, with models like the Ford F-150 Lightning weighing around 6,500 pounds.

Pedestrian deaths have risen by 57% from 2013 to 2022, with 88% of fatalities occurring in single-vehicle crashes. Vehicle shape, especially hood height and front-end design, significantly impacts pedestrian survival rates. Vehicles with hood heights over 40 inches and blunt front ends angled at more than 65 degrees are more likely to cause fatalities.

While automakers often highlight technology like cameras and automatic braking to reduce pedestrian deaths, they rarely address vehicle design. SUVs and trucks remain popular and more profitable, with profit margins 10-20% higher than smaller cars.

Safety advocates have celebrated the proposal but emphasize that vehicle design is just one aspect of making roads safer. Other measures, such as lower speed limits, infrastructure improvements, and increased enforcement of traffic laws, are also crucial.

Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, noted that while the new standard is a step in the right direction, it still lags behind Europe’s measures. The NHTSA estimates that these changes could save up to 67 lives annually.

As the automotive industry and safety advocates react to this proposal, it’s clear that addressing the pedestrian safety crisis will require a multifaceted approach. The NHTSA’s new proposal is an important step, but it represents just the beginning of efforts needed to create safer roads for all users.