The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a proposed regulation to redesign future vehicles, aiming to lower the risk of serious or fatal injuries in pedestrian-involved crashes. This move comes as pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. continue to rise, with 7,522 pedestrians killed in 2022—a 0.7% increase from the previous year and the highest number since 1981. Injuries among pedestrians also rose by 11%, while cyclist fatalities surged 13% to 1,105, marking the highest figure since at least 1980.
The new rule primarily targets large vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs, which do not currently meet international pedestrian protection standards. Automakers would be required to implement design changes to reduce the risk of head injuries in collisions, particularly those involving pedestrians striking vehicle hoods. A new head-to-hood impact test at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h) would need to be met, as such collisions account for 70% of pedestrian injuries. The NHTSA estimates that the regulation could prevent approximately 67 fatalities each year.
The rule would take effect at least two years after its final publication, giving automakers time to comply. While the regulation would bring the U.S. in line with global standards, most passenger vehicles using international platforms already incorporate head protection designs. However, the proposal specifically targets uniquely American platforms, such as pickup trucks, to ensure pedestrian safety measures are consistent across all vehicle types.
NHTSA has been progressively working on pedestrian safety. In April, the agency announced that nearly all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the U.S. must include automatic emergency braking systems by 2029. These systems are designed to prevent or mitigate collisions with pedestrians by automatically stopping or slowing vehicles before impact.
