The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing updates to its vehicle safety consumer information program to provide better information about how well vehicles protect pedestrians.
The agency has asked for public comments on amends to its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) that will measure how well vehicles protect those outside the vehicle, in a bid to reduce pedestrian fatalities.
“Ensuring the safety of pedestrians is a top priority at DOT, and these proposed updates to NCAP are an important step in addressing the crisis of roadway deaths in America,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel, Ann Carlson.
“Vehicles must be designed to protect their occupants while increasing safety for those outside the vehicle, too.”
This proposal is part of the agency’s efforts to encourage pedestrian safety improvements in vehicles by adding tests that will show whether a vehicle can offer better protection to pedestrians in the event of a collision.
The tests will provide consumers with crucial safety information about pedestrian safety and protection. NHTSA is also developing a proposed rule setting safety standards for automatic emergency braking, including pedestrian AEB for newly manufactured light vehicles.
The agency will take comments on the proposal for 60 days. Comments will be accepted on Regulations.gov when the notice is posted.
