Legislation Intended to Minimize Pedestrian Casualties and Fatalities Through Vehicle Height Lowering and Additional Measures
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) has introduced the Pedestrian Protection Act, a bill that seeks to address the rising concern of non-traffic pedestrian crashes. The Act, which is supported by various organisations including The Center for Auto Safety, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and Kids and Car Safety, aims to decrease pedestrian fatalities, particularly those related to larger SUVs and pickup trucks.
The Act encourages automakers to develop vehicles that pose less harm when pedestrian tragedies occur. It will implement a minimum visibility standard to reduce blind zones, an issue that has been highlighted by researchers at the University of Illinois at Springfield, who found that children are eight times more likely to die when struck by an SUV compared to those hit by cars.
The growing body of research demonstrates the link between SUVs and pickups with increased risk for pedestrians, especially children. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), these types of vehicles are more deadly for pedestrians. Over the past 15 years, pedestrian deaths resulting from car crashes have risen by 80 percent.
Michael Brooks, Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety, supports the Act, stating it incentivizes automakers to improve visibility that prevents crashes involving pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, also supports the Act, stating it addresses safety disparities by setting new safety standards, ensuring drivers can see and respond to all road users, and improving consumer information.
Amber Rollins, Director of Kids and Car Safety, echoes this sentiment, stating the Pedestrian Protection Act represents a crucial step towards addressing the escalating concern of non-traffic pedestrian crashes. 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.
The Act requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop vehicle safety standards that will focus on dangerous features like vehicle height, hood, and bumper design. The bill text for the Pedestrian Protection Act can be found online.
While specific details about the Act introduced by Congresswoman Scanlon are not yet fully available, her involvement in legislative efforts related to vehicle safety is evident. The search results indicate her activity in the 115th to 119th Congresses. For more details about the key provisions of the Pedestrian Protection Act or any related legislation, it would be necessary to consult official Congressional records or legislative documents that specifically mention the act. These records might outline measures to enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vulnerable road users, such as improved vehicle standards, infrastructure modifications, or enhanced safety regulations.
If you're looking for information on vehicle safety legislation, the She DRIVES Act is related to improving vehicle safety standards through the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and the New Car Assessment Program. However, this is not specifically the Pedestrian Protection Act you inquired about.
The Pedestrian Protection Act, introduced by Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, aims to reduce pedestrian fatalities by encouraging automakers to develop safer vehicles, particularly in regards to larger SUVs and pickup trucks, and by implementing a minimum visibility standard to address blind zones. This Act is supported by various organizations such as The Center for Auto Safety, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and Kids and Car Safety, who argue that SUVs and pickups pose an increased risk to pedestrians, especially children. Apart from this bill, there is also another related legislation called the She DRIVES Act, which focuses on improving vehicle safety standards.
