The Solution to Giant Killer Cars Is Really, Really Simple

The number of pedestrian deaths in the United States is skyrocketing. In 2022 traffic crashes killed 7,805 people on foot--that's an 83 percent rise from 2009, and a 40-year high. The vast majority of those deaths involved a car colliding into a human. In September, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took a significant step toward addressing the crisis of killer cars, proposing a new federal rule that would require--not ask--carmakers to ensure that the front ends of their vehicles do not create excessive risk of pedestrian head injuries. Should the proposal become law, hulking SUVs and pickups would face particular challenges passing NHTSA's mandatory tests.