Pedestrian injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents are at record highs. In 2022, the most recent year for which there is data, more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed and more than 67,000 pedestrians were injured. The vast majority of such accidents are occurring at night, and research has so far been unable to explain why. The U.S. stands apart – similarly situated countries, like Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have seen a steady decline in pedestrian injuries and fatalities regardless of the time of day.
Simultaneously, the driver experience has been changing. Touch screens have been quickly replacing physical controls, such as switches, knobs, and dials. Screens are requiring an increasing amount of driver attention. The number of hired vehicles – whose drivers rely heavily on screens – has been exploding. All of these factors are changing the driving experience and may be contributing factors in injuries and fatalities. While smartphone usage has also increased, it cannot fully explain the spike in pedestrian fatalities and injuries in the U.S. given smartphones’ ubiquity around the world. The only thing is clear is that more research is needed.
The Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act (H.R.10051) would direct the Department of Transportation and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to
- Conduct a study on the effects of driver technology – including touch screen-based systems and user interface design – and the impact of time of day and changes in traffic, weather, and the volume of commercial vehicles on the road as they relate to pedestrian injuries and fatalities; and
- Provide recommendations on actions Congress or agencies can take – including updating guidance or standards – to address the study’s findings.
The bill is supported by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and Truck Safety Coalition.
Read a news release and watch a video of a press conference here. The bill as introduced can be found here or on Congress.gov.