Pedestrian deaths on our roads are at a forty-year excessive in the USA and bigger unsafe automobiles and vans contribute considerably to this disaster.

In the USA, the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) determines car design and security requirements. Now, for the primary time ever, NHTSA has proposed to fee automobiles primarily based on security for pedestrians via its New Automobile Evaluation Program (NCAP), its five-star security ranking program marketed to customers. 

Such a program is sorely wanted and lengthy overdue, but it surely’s crucial to get it proper. NHTSA’s present proposal grades security for pedestrians on a cross/fail and doesn’t incorporate the end result into its star ranking system. Below the present proposal, a car may obtain a failing grade for pedestrian crashworthiness, however nonetheless earn a five-star security ranking. That is unacceptable and misrepresents a car as protected when it’s not. As well as, the proposal fails to guage restricted driver visibility, a recognized security flaw for bigger autos, and received’t show pedestrian crashworthiness rankings on the level of sale, the place most customers would see them. These components want to alter for this system to be efficient.

Inform NHTSA to take motion

We help higher security data to information client selections.  But when NHTSA is severe about making streets protected for everybody on them, it additionally wants so as to add necessities that sort out car dimension, visibility, and pace instantly into the Federal Motor Car Security Requirements that govern the design of all autos. 

Car security requirements that save the lives of individuals outdoors automobiles shouldn’t be non-obligatory. Now could be the chance for NHTSA to take significant motion and finish the epidemic of pedestrian deaths. You’ll be able to inform NHTSA it wants to guard pedestrians by submitting your public remark with only one click on via America Walks’ motion alert web page.

Be taught extra about our efforts to enhance car security for pedestrians.