U.S. Considers Adopting UN Pedestrian Safety Regulations for Passenger Vehicles

The NHTSA proposes adopting UN standards purported to enhance pedestrian safety, aiming to reduce fatalities by improving vehicle design and safety features.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a new federal rule purportedlyaimed at reducing pedestrian injuries and fatalities by improving safety standards for passenger vehicles. The rule would apply to vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less, including SUVs, buses, vans, and light trucks. According to the NHTSA, this measure could save up to 67 lives annually.

This proposed regulation is part of a broader effort to address rising pedestrian fatalities, which have increased by 57% between 2013 and 2022. “We have a crisis of roadway deaths, and it’s even worse among vulnerable road users like pedestrians,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman. “This proposed rule will ensure that vehicles are designed to protect both those inside and outside the vehicle.”

The initiative stems from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and seeks to align U.S. vehicle safety standards with the United Nations Global Technical Regulations. The regulations focus on minimizing the risks of serious head and chest injuries in pedestrian collisions with vehicles.

The U.N. Regulation No. 9, which covers pedestrian safety, emphasizes reducing injuries sustained from frontal impacts with vehicles. It identifies the bumper, bonnet top, windscreen, and A-pillars as key areas of concern during such accidents.

The U.N. rules set requirements for door locks, motorcycle brakes, and electronic stability control systems, among others.

The NHTSA’s proposed rule includes improving the testing criteria for simulated head-to-hood impacts to ensure compliance with the safety standard. This move highlights a global approach to vehicle design, ensuring that U.S. regulations are aligned with international efforts to protect pedestrians.

The public is invited to provide comments on the proposed rule over the next 60 days, as the NHTSA continues its work to enhance road safety for all users.