Despite many cities announcing Vision Zero plans, federal officials and government officials have shown no plans to enhance pedestrian safety. This week, the government delayed a major and much-awaited update to the Federal New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) until 2027. This car safety standard would have enhanced the safety of pedestrians by ensuring that advanced driver-assist technology becomes a standard in all new vehicles.
Initially, the plan was scheduled to take effect with the 2026 model year. Following the postponement, automakers will have an extra year free from the tough car safety standards. According to critics, the postponement is an indicator that the government is only prioritizing vehicle speed and roadway capacity over the safety of pedestrians.
What the Safety Rules Were Supposed to Do
The revisions to NCAP were first announced in 2024. The rules were supposed to align U.S. ratings more closely with those in Europe and other developed countries. To earn five-star rating, a car would be required to include advanced safety features such as lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and intervention, and pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking (AEB).
In a separate mandate scheduled for 2029, all new passenger vehicles would be required to have AEB systems capable of preventing collisions at speeds up to 62 mph. This requirement faced backlash from automakers, and the NHTSA has already hinted at granting them two extra years.
Although the NCAP program is voluntary and distinct from minimum safety standards, it is a powerful marketing tool for automakers. This is because, a car window sticker showing that the car meets five-star rating could sway buyers to buy it. A lower rating, on the other hand, could make a car lose buyer interest.
Why the Delay Happened
Various reports indicate that the industry trade group, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, argued that the NHTSA failed to publish updated pedestrian crash test procedures in time for the 2026 rollout. Without these details, it would have been impossible for automakers to conduct the required tests to certify their vehicles. Additionally, the group warned that under the proposed timeline, only a few 2026 models would have qualified for a five-star rating.
The NHTSA defended the delay, citing that the extra year would allow automakers time to implement these technologies and other planned updates.
However, pedestrian safety advocates are not buying it. They say that the delays have become a pattern under the Trump administration. Due to the delays, they have also accused it of cancelling or rolling back programs meant to protect pedestrians.
A Bigger Pattern of Canceled Safety Grants
In addition to these programs, recent reports reveal that various infrastructure grants designed to enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists have been cancelled. For instance, projects in cities such as San Diego, Boston, and Fairfield were abandoned because officials claimed they would make lanes squeezed, which would be unfavorable for motor vehicles.
Surprisingly, one project was cancelled because improving the safety of pedestrians would prevent vehicle capacity and speed. Besides affecting new grants, the cancellations of these projects have also reversed grants that had already been awarded in the past.
What This Means for Drivers and Pedestrians
The delay and cancellation of programs and safety standards will allow drivers to buy 2026 models without worrying about the latest advanced safety features to earn top ratings. Consumers, on the other hand will need to consider independent crash ratings from institutions like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS has been more aggressive in evaluating pedestrian protection than government agencies.
It is unfortunate for pedestrians, considering that pedestrian deaths have risen sharply in the past decade, while they decline in other countries. The delay of stronger safety standards and cancellations of local street safety projects will put them in greater risk.
Why Advocates Doubt 2027 Safety Rules Will Stick
While the NHTSA insists that the changes will still be implemented in 2027, advocates are skeptical, given the administration’s track record. If the automatic emergency braking standard is also pushed back beyond 2029, the U.S. could lag behind its global peers in implementing basic life-saving technology.
Apparently, it’s clear that the Trump administration is much focused on cars while pedestrians come second. The implementation of these changes will depend on whether the government will succumb to public pressures.