US seeks new pedestrian safety rules aimed at increasingly massive SUVs and pickup trucks
The U.S. government’s road safety agency wants the auto industry to design new vehicles including SUVs and pickup trucks so they reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries
DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government's road safety agency wants the auto industry to design new vehicles including increasingly large SUVs and pickup trucks so they reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that for the first time it's proposing a new rule setting testing and performance requirements to minimize the risk of pedestrian head injuries.
The rule would cover all passenger vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less, but it's is aimed largely at big SUVs and pickups, which have grown in size and hood height over the years, causing blind spots for drivers.
NHTSA said pedestrian deaths increased 57% from 2013 to 2022, from 4,779 to 7,522. The agency says the rule would save 67 lives per year.
