Feds target SUV, truck size to save pedestrian lives — ‘one of the last frontiers of vehicle safety’

I have conservative family members who deliberately go for the biggest SUV with the lowest gas mileage available just to "stick it to the government." If the government told them that they couldn't drive a small car, they'd be out there shopping for a small car. It's incredibly childish.

GOP judge declaring NHTSA unconstitutional in 3... 2... 1...

Humans have quite literally invented cars that are better at killing people, especially children.

"I don't want children to die in accidents," say people as they drive huge masses of metal that might do just that.

Why do little cars have to withstand a collision with a huge truck but trucks just get bigger and bigger? The new Hummer is over 9,000lbs (4,090 kg)

As it is the US has no pedestrian safety standards at the federal level. I'm pretty sure if GM wanted to put out a truck with running chainsaws all over it then it would be perfectly legal as far as the NHTSA is concerned, although some state regulators might have a problem with it which is probably why it doesn't happen in reality.

I have a Honda Fit (compact 4 seater) and absolutely LOVE the little car, plus it's easier to park. But holy shit looking for a compact is hard! Everything is a fucking SUV or truck these days! Just count the number of sedans vs SUVs next time you're out and about. My favorite cars, the 2 door Mini Cooper and VW Buggy, aren't even made any more.

For the first time ever, manufacturers would be required to study the impact of test dummies hit outside of vehicles. The rules would likely change the design of what America drives permanently.

That's all the article says about the actual rule changes. Based on this information alone, I know very little about what will actually change.

I feel like the NHTSA should do way more if they can and argue for limits on light truck sizes in their length, height, weight, and perhaps classification.

Every time I see a movie from the 90s and older, and they show a parking lot, I get sad. Everyone used to drive reasonably sized sedans. Family vehicles were wagons. Fuck SUVs and trucks.

My dream car: An EV version of the 1955 Nash Metropolitan, seen here in this silly ad photo:

(Sorry, it's hard to find pictures that give a true indication of the smallness of the car. Also, mine would be the red and white two tone variety.)

"MUH FREEDOM. FUCKIN COMMIES"

I can just see the pavement princess brigade seething because their next emotional support penismobile won't be exaggerated anymore and they will actually be able to see pedestrians and cyclists.

Perversely the rules that make cars more efficient and environmentally friendly have incentivized manufacturers to make absurdly sized trucks.

There should really be a redistribution gas tax, another dollar per gallon on gas which then goes back split evenly to every American. Incentivizes less gas usage while avoiding the regressive nature of a sales tax. Canada has something like this.

Ruinous politically so it would never happen but it would be a good plan.

It’s out of control. I drive a 2019 Kona and I moved to that from my 2013 Elantra. Last time I was at the dealer was looking at the new Konas and they’re bigger, too big for me.

Bumper height needs to be standardized so they match up properly. One of the biggest safety issues is how modern SUV bumpers don't align with cars bumper bars.

Let’s target them in order to lower the demand for fossil fuels. The drivers of these vehicles are the ones driving up gas prices; and then subsequently crying about gas prices.

This seems like it could lead to significant innovation in vans in North America, or set least US/Canada. Van pickups, van sedans, van Goghs? After the initial temper tantrums, I think people will buy whatever comes out of the design phase. There used to be a lot of "beef" about emission control devices, but not so much anymore. Those folks moved on.

Yay we will have the return of small trucks. These behemoths are good for towing and work, but not everyday driving.

The last frontier, that showed up like forty years ago.

But how will all of these guys compensate for their average or less than average penis?

It’s like a negative feedback loop I want an SUV because of a truck or another SUV hit me. I feel like I might be able to survive that but if I’m in my geometro, or a small compact car. I don’t think I’m coming out of that alive if a giant trucker or suv hit me And I know that’s not gonna change. They’re not gonna suddenly recall thousands of oversized pick up trucks those trucks are gonna be on the road for the next 10 to 15 years to come, even if something changes soon. It would take a while to phase them out.

I just want public high-speed rail everywhere 15 minutes cities please

If you guys could stop trying to take away things, people love six weeks before the election that would be great

They need to do that here too in Australia

If you're driving a larger vehicle, you should be putting in more care.

But they don't seem to here in Australia. They'll park badly and put less effort into fixing it than a small sedan

It's tiring that this is even still a thing

"One of the last frontiers of vehicle safety" If you're going to post this sort of stuff where people can see it, maybe you could cover it with Content Warnings and Propaganda tags?

So the US just starts importing the cars europe had for ages? thats hardly a frontier, it's willful ignorance of an age old issue.

Man, I'm not all that interested in owning a truck or an SUV but there are so few Sudan's out there that fit folks like me over 6ft tall. (If anyone has suggestions please share, and no public transportation isn't an option where I live)

Fuck this, feds need to keep their bullshit away from my truck.

Sounds good now, but we'll just end up with bigger pickup trucks that have cowcatchers installed.