According to a press release on Sept. 9, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is enhancing pedestrian safety with the introduction of a new rule aimed at minimizing fatalities and serious injuries caused by vehicle collisions.

The new rule suggests the establishment of a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, mandating that new passenger vehicles be engineered to lower the risk of severe to fatal injuries in collisions involving children and adult pedestrians.

The regulation targets passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating of up to 10,000 pounds, encompassing various types such as trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), crossovers and vans. This decision is informed by 2022 data indicating that 88% of pedestrian fatalities occurred in single-vehicle incidents, with multipurpose passenger vehicles accounting for 49% of front-impact pedestrian deaths, followed by passenger cars at 37%.

Sophie Shulman, deputy administrator of the NHTSA, highlighted an alarming increase in pedestrian fatalities, which surged by 57% from 4,779 to 7,522 between 2013 and 2022. She stated that the proposed rule is part of a broader initiative to bolster road safety for all users, particularly the most vulnerable. To ensure effectiveness, the proposed standard includes test procedures that mimic a head-to-hood collision and sets performance criteria aimed at reducing the likelihood of head injuries. The agency plans to use humanlike headforms representing a broad spectrum of pedestrians, from small children to adults, in these tests. It is estimated that the implementation of this standard could save 67 lives annually.

Furthermore, the proposed rule is in line with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's directive to align US vehicle regulations with international standards, thereby enhancing global vehicle safety. The new standard would correspond with Global Technical Regulation No. 9, with additional adjustments to ensure vehicles popular in the US market, such as pickups and large SUVs, offer adequate pedestrian head protection. These vehicle categories made up nearly a quarter of US passenger vehicle sales in 2020, underscoring the importance of this regulation.

The initiative is a key component of the department's commitment to promoting the development of safer vehicles through a systematic approach. The NHTSA has opened a 60-day window for public commentary on the proposed rule, inviting stakeholders and citizens to contribute their insights.