NHTSA’s Proposed Safety Rule Could Save 67 American Lives Each Year
Thanks to pressure from government agencies and independent safety organizations, even entry-level cars like the Mazda 3 are extremely safe. But while huge strides have been taken to improve occupancy protection, pedestrians remain vulnerable – and it’s getting worse. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, things are getting worse, with pedestrian fatalities increasing by 57% between 2013 and 2022.
As a result, the NHTSA is proposing a new rule that endeavors to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities. If successful, the proposal would create a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) that would require manufacturers to design new passenger vehicles to “reduce the risk of serious-to-fatal injuries in child and pedestrian crashes.”
New Law Will Save Plenty Of Lives
To evaluate these new designs, the government agency would introduce new safety tests. This would include a head-to-hood impact simulation, along with requirements to minimize head injury risks. The NHTSA estimates the new safety standards could save 67 lives every year. While all vehicles pose a threat to pedestrians in this sort of collision, studies have shown that trucks, SUVs, and vans with hoods taller than 40 inches are 45% more likely to cause a fatality in a pedestrian-related crash.
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Given that Americans can’t stop buying towering pickups and SUVs, this remains a serious problem on American roads. Per the NHTSA’s data, multipurpose passenger vehicles – which include crossovers, vans, trucks, and SUVs – are responsible for most fatal pedestrian crashes (49%) in 2022 with passenger cars representing 37%.
“We have a crisis of roadway deaths, and it’s even worse among vulnerable road users like pedestrians. Between 2013 and 2022, pedestrian fatalities increased 57% from 4,779 to 7,522. This proposed rule will ensure that vehicles will be designed to protect those inside and outside from serious injury or death. We will continue to work to make our roads safer for everyone and help protect vulnerable road users.”
– Sophie Shulman, NHTSA Deputy Administrator
SUVs And Trucks Are The Biggest Threat To Pedestrians
The NHTSA says the proposal meets a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directive “to harmonize US vehicle regulations globally to promote vehicle safety.” A 2022 study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claimed that SUVs and trucks pose a greater threat to pedestrians, especially during cornering. At an intersection involving a left turn, SUVs are twice as likely to kill a pedestrian in a crash. It’s even worse for pickup trucks, with the likelihood of pedestrian death increasing by four times when compared to passenger cars.
Of course, automakers are working tirelessly to prevent pedestrian deaths. Most modern-day cars are equipped with some kind of pedestrian detection system, but an IIHS evaluation found that most of these systems are ineffective in the dark. In the future, advanced technologies, including an innovative radiator grille that communicates with pedestrians and even a hood-mounted airbag that provides a softer landing for pedestrians, could help lower the frequency of such tragedies.
Source:
NHTSA
