Over the past 15 years, pedestrian deaths resulting from car crashes have risen by 80 percent. During this period, many popular vehicle models in the United States have become larger, higher, heavier, and include more blunt features. A growing body of research demonstrates the link between SUVs and pickups with such design features and increased risk for pedestrians, especially children. Larger vehicles have reduced driver visibility, leading to higher rates of crashes with pedestrians, including cyclists and children.
There is a growing body of research that demonstrates the link between SUVs and pickups
with these design features and increased risk for pedestrians, especially children.
Research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that these features are
more likely to cause pedestrian deaths and that SUVs and large pickups are more deadly than
cars.
A study published by researchers at the University of Illinois at Springfield showed that children
are eight times more likely to die when struck by an SUV compared to those hit by cars. The
study also showed that crashes involving SUVs and pickups were more likely to result in
pedestrian fatalities when compared to cars.
Additional research shows that reducing a vehicle’s front-end height, even by only four inches,
could greatly reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities.
Further vehicle safety research has demonstrated that larger vehicles have reduced driver
visibility, leading to higher rates of crashes with pedestrians, including cyclists and children.
IIHS research has shown that larger SUVs and pickups are more likely to hit pedestrians while turning at intersections because of reduced visibility. Modern SUVs and pickups have larger front blind zones, and many popular models have front blind zones that prevent the driver from seeing children passing in front of the vehicle.
The Pedestrian Protection Act would require the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) to:
- Develop vehicle safety standards to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and vulnerable road users,
including standards for dangerous features like vehicle height and hood and bumper design.
Implement a minimum visibility standard for motor vehicles to reduce blind zones associated
with pedestrian crashes. - Provide consumers with more information about vehicle safety by updating NHTSA’s New
Car Assessment Program to include a driver visibility rating.The Pedestrian Protection Act is endorsed by The Center for Auto Safety, Advocates for Highway
and Auto Safety, and Kids and Car Safety.
“As cars and pickup trucks have become bigger and heavier, we are seeing pedestrian fatalities reach historic highs, and newer vehicles often leave drivers unable to fully see their surroundings, including pedestrians, children, and bicyclists,” said Congresswoman Scanlon. “With larger, heavier, higher vehicles becoming more popular in the United States, we cannot ignore the growing body of research that links such vehicles to increased risk for pedestrians. I’m proud to introduce the Pedestrian Protection Act to push for vehicle safety and visibility standards to address these risks and design flaws and prioritize the safety of our children and families.”
The bill is endorsed by the Center for Auto Safety, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and Kids and Car Safety. Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) is an original cosponsor.
“With the significant rise in the popularity of larger, heavier vehicles over the past decade, preventing avoidable pedestrian tragedies is a top priority for Kids and Car Safety,” said Amber Rollins, Director of Kids and Car Safety. “Pedestrians face risks not only on public roadways but also off-road, a danger that is often underestimated. Nontraffic pedestrian crashes result in at least 777 deaths and 17,505 injuries per year. The Pedestrian Protection Act represents a crucial step towards addressing this escalating concern. We extend our gratitude to Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon for her dedication to safeguarding children, vulnerable road users, and others.”
“America’s roads are now teeming with enormous cars and trucks that significantly increase the risk of death or injury for pedestrians, bicyclists, and everyone on the road, both in and outside of vehicles. The Pedestrian Protection Act incentivizes automakers to improve visibility that prevents crashes involving pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, and to develop vehicles that pose less harm when these tragedies occur,” said Michael Brooks, Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety.
“Crossing the street should not be a death-defying act. Yet, pedestrian fatalities are at historic highs, with nearly 9,000 people killed in 2022. As passenger vehicles have expanded in size and weight, so has their risk to other roadway users. We support the Pedestrian Protection Act introduced by Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) to address safety disparities by setting new safety standards, ensure drivers can see and respond to all road users, and improve consumer information,” said Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
Find the full bill text here.