NHTSA Interested In Changing The Shape Of Trucks And SUVs

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle-pedestrian fatalities have increased by 33 percent over the last 20 years, despite a decrease in overall vehicle occupant deaths.

In response, the NHTSA is proposing new crash standards aimed at reducing pedestrian head injuries in front-end collisions. This rule is particularly significant for pickup trucks and SUVs, which have become increasingly larger, presenting challenges in terms of pedestrian safety.

The proposed rule doesn’t target specific vehicle designs but focuses on vehicles with bulky front ends, such as large pickup trucks and SUVs. It highlights issues with hoods, grilles, and fascias, which may increase the risk of injury to pedestrians. Testing would involve simulations of head impacts from both children and adults, assessing how these structures could mitigate the severity of injuries in real-world accidents.

NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman emphasized the urgency of addressing pedestrian fatalities, which rose by 57 percent between 2013 and 2022, reaching 7,522 deaths. The agency's goal is to make vehicle designs safer for pedestrians, especially in terms of head impacts, while continuing to ensure the protection of vehicle occupants.

The issue has garnered increased attention as trucks and SUVs with taller front ends are more likely to cause severe injuries to pedestrians. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has also criticized vehicles with blunt, flat faces for their elevated risks. The proposed rule is now in its 60-day public comment period before further action is taken​.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

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