Unelected bureaucrats target the ‘crisis’ of ‘pedestrian deaths’ on roads – First ever federal rule

[rangerrebew]

Unelected bureaucrats target the ‘crisis’ of ‘pedestrian deaths’ on roads – First ever federal rule to ‘rein in excessively large trucks & SUVs’ by mandating ‘permanent’ changes to ‘shape of a vehicle’ – Regs ‘could save up to 67 lives every year’

The Verge - Sept 10, 2024:  This week, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stunned safety advocates by proposing new vehicle rules that it says will help reduce pedestrian deaths in America. The new rules appear aimed directly at the trend of increasingly massive SUVs and trucks, which have been shown to be more deadly to pedestrians than smaller and midsize vehicles.

Never in its 50-plus years in existence has the regulator issued new rules for automakers requiring them to change their vehicle designs to better prevent pedestrian fatalities. If enacted, the new rules could change how vehicles are designed in the US — permanently.

The rules announced this week would update the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), the government’s bible for everything that’s required in a new vehicle before it’s sold — from steering wheels to rearview mirrors — to set testing procedures to simulate head-to-hood impact, with the aim of reducing head injuries. If enacted, automakers will have to test their vehicles using crash test dummies representing adult and child pedestrians for the first time. NHTSA says the changes could save up to 67 lives every year. ...

https://www.climatedepot.com/2024/09/12/unelected-bureaucrats-target-the-crisis-of-pedestrian-deaths-on-roads-first-ever-federal-rule-to-rein-in-excessively-large-trucks-suvs-by-mandating-changes-to-shape-of-a-vehicle/

[rangerrebew]

 

[DefiantMassRINO]

... start with eliminating bike lanes.  If those S.O.B.'s get to ride on my roads, why can't I drive on their rail trails?  Driving on rail trails would save me time, gas, and pollution - no stop signs, no traffic lights.

[GtHawk]

How many of pedestrian deaths on the road are the result of imported third worlders refusing to change their running across roads or against red lights. Where I lived for 16 years there were constant fatalities because the ‘migrants’ would just run across the road from their apartments to the laundromat or liquor store without looking, a favorite of theirs was to wear all black or dark clothing and run across the road at night. Also after each death there would be the required shrine with many candles, sometimes there were three or for shrines, because they wanted them forever.

[berdie]

And how many pedestrian deaths are due to a person staring at their cell phone and not watching where they are going.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Another example of federal intrusion on what is clearly a state issue

[Fishrrman]

Once they have the foot in the door and can "control the size" (presumably on "big" vehicles first), watch them start tightening the regs to require vehicle sizes that are smaller, and smaller, and smaller, until...?

[Smokin Joe]

Once they have the foot in the door and can "control the size" (presumably on "big" vehicles first), watch them start tightening the regs to require vehicle sizes that are smaller, and smaller, and smaller, until...?

What I get from this is they want to control the shape of the vehicles. That shape exists to stuff all the things under the hood there, or to provide a more aerodynamic profile to get increased mileage, cooling for the engine, and better mileage. As far as vehicles being tall, well, some are by virtue of greater ground clearance--a seasonal necessity in some places, to avoid getting stuck. Like EVs, in the unforgiving winter clime here, close to the ground just translates to 'not going anywhere'--AKA: a hazard to navigation.
I 'get' that taller, more 'monolithic' vehicles have a different impact profile on a pedestrian than small cars, but it seems the bottom line here is to not walk in the road, and you won't get hit. (Face traffic, wear light, bright, or reflective garments, especially at night, don't walk out from behind obstacles, look both ways before crossing, etc. PUT THE PHONE IN YOUR POCKET!)