Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) introduced the Pedestrian Protection Act to address the rapid rise in pedestrian fatalities related to increased SUV and pickup truck size, by requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop vehicle safety standards to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and vulnerable road users. The bill would implement standards for dangerous features like vehicle height and hood and bumper design, and a minimum visibility standard to reduce blind zones.
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.
“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.
Find a one-pager on the bill here.
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