Rise in Pedestrian Deaths Has NHTSA Eyeing Vehicle Design Rule Changes

October 12, 2012 (Press-News.org) In 2009, the number of pedestrian fatalities in America was at a five year low. However, by 2010, the number jumped by more than four percent to 4,300. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about three-quarters of those deaths occurred in urban areas.

With America becoming increasingly urbanized, it comes as little surprise that more people are turning to travel by foot. Yet, despite technological advances, vehicle and driver safety have been unable to keep up. Pressured by a rising tide of pedestrian deaths, advocacy groups and federal regulators are looking to engineering solutions that could help keep America's walkers and runners safe.

Vehicle Body Changes, Crash Avoidance Technologies on the Table

In September 2012, the NHTSA hosted a meeting that aimed to finalize proposed changes to the design of hoods and bumpers for automobiles marketed in America. The changes would make hoods and bumpers absorb more of the impact when cars collide with pedestrians. Similar rules are already in place in Europe and Asia.

However, some automakers oppose the new design changes. Current law requires vehicle bumpers in the U.S. to be strong in order to reduce repair costs in low-speed crashes. In an interview with USA today, BMW's vice president of engineering Tom Baloga noted that the law would have to be updated to allow weaker bumpers that would reduce the impact on pedestrians in crashes.

In place of body design changes, most automakers favor crash avoidance technologies, claiming they have the potential to save more lives for the money. For example, automakers are refining automatic breaking technologies that will stop a vehicle before it hits a pedestrian. Another new pedestrian safety technology in development is BMW's "Night Vision" system that engages an auditory alarm and shows a visual warning if sensors installed on the vehicle detect a person in the car's path after dark (nearly 70 percent of pedestrian deaths occur at night).

Driver Safety Ultimate Protection for Pedestrians

While crash-avoidance technologies and vehicle body design changes are worth exploring in the fight to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries, ultimately the best defense is safe and cautious driving. Drivers who text behind the wheel, drink and drive, or are simply inattentive bear the responsibility when someone is injured or killed in a pedestrian accident.

If you have been injured as a pedestrian, or if a loved one has been killed, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver or his or her insurer. Talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer today to learn more about your right to recover monetary damages.

Article provided by The Kreeger Law Firm
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