DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government’s road safety agency wants the auto industry to design new vehicles including i ncreasingly large SUVs and pickup trucks so they reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it’s proposing a new rule setting testing and performance requirements to minimize the risk of pedestrian head injuries.

The rule would cover all passenger vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less, but it’s is aimed largely at big SUVs and pickups, which have grown in size and hood height over the years, causing blind spots for drivers.

NHTSA said pedestrian deaths increased 57% from 2013 to 2022, from 4,779 to 7,522. The agency says the rule would save 67 lives per year.

Data show that nearly half of all pedestrian deaths when hit by the front of a vehicle are most common for SUVs and trucks.

The proposed rule, required by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, would set test procedures to simulate head-to-hood impact as well as requirements to reduce the risk of head injuries. Human-like head dummies that simulate children and adults would be used in testing, NHTSA said in a prepared statement.

“We have a crisis of roadway deaths, and it’s even worse among vulnerable road users like pedestrians,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said in the statement. “This proposed rule will ensure that vehicles will be designed to protect those inside and outside from serious injury or death.”

Messages were left Monday seeking comment from automakers and the industry’s main trade association.

The infrastructure law required NHTSA to make U.S. regulations match a global pedestrian safety rule, with a regulation that would focus on vehicles made uniquely for the U.S. market.

Through August, SUVs and trucks of all sizes accounted for almost 79% of new vehicles sales in the U.S., according to Motorintelligence.com.

Last year, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that vehicles with higher, more vertical front ends raise risks for pedestrians. The research arm of the insurance industry found that pickups, SUVs and vans with a hood height greater than 40 inches are about 45% more likely to cause deaths in pedestrian crashes than cars and other vehicles with a hood height of 30 inches or less and a sloping profile.

The authors also questioned whether wider pillars holding up roofs of the larger vehicles make it harder for drivers to spot people walking near the corners of vehicles.

Consumer Reports found in 2021 that elevated vehicle hoods also obstructed driver views of pedestrians crossing before them.

The magazine and website found that pickup truck hood heights have risen 11% since 2000. The hood of a 2017 Ford F-250 heavy-duty pickup was 55 inches off the ground, as tall as the roofs of some cars.

Consumer Reports said it measured visibility for 15 new vehicles, including full-size trucks. Due to height and long hoods, it found that front blind spots in some trucks were 11 feet longer than some sedans and 7 feet longer than many popular SUVs.

Automakers and the public can comment on the proposal for 60 days, after which NHTSA will draw up a final regulation.

By Tom Krisher.

Local 283 President Steve Hicks says they are asking for union security, seniority rights and an increase in pay.

“Since the pandemic, inflation is sky high from 2019 in double digits, and has cut into the spendable income of our members here,” Hicks told WDET. “So we need to get [a] percentage that’s a lot higher than what they are offering, which is 3% per year.”

Hicks says the union sent several emails asking to bargain over the last offer made by Marathon, but were denied.

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Marathon officials said they were “disappointed” that union members decided to go on strike, saying the company has met with union leadership regularly for the last nine months to reach a new labor agreement.

“The company has negotiated in good faith, but the union thus far has been unwilling to agree to acceptable terms for an agreement and, instead, has decided to engage in a strike in support of its bargaining positions,” the statement read. “We are fully prepared and have implemented plans to continue safely operating the facility with trained and qualified Marathon employees, and a safe and orderly handover to these experienced team members has been completed.”

The Michigan Department of Transportation is lifting some restrictions for transporting certain hazardous substances across the Ambassador Bridge this fall.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

MDOT will ease restrictions on transporting fuels and materials for batteries beginning Oct. 29. The bridge’s owners requested the looser restrictions, saying it can respond quickly to a fire or spill. 

MDOT commissioned a technical study  in June 2021 to evaluate the risks associated with transporting restricted materials on the Ambassador Bridge from Porter Street in Detroit to Canada, the state reported. MDOT subsequently collected more than 80 letters from elected officials, business owners and community members, many expressing support for the looser restrictions.

Restricted materials will only be transported during off-peak hours, under the supervision of vehicle escorts, according to the state.

Other headlines for Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024:

• The city of Detroit is holding informational sessions this month to teach local nonprofits how to apply for grants to expand or improve their programs.
• Detroit is also offering free estate planning workshops to residents during the month of September.
• The Brightmoor Artisans Collective is recruiting volunteers for its Beautification Day event Saturday, Sept. 7. 
• The Paradise Wellness Academy is hosting a free Community Health Education series this month, featuring live cooking demonstrations and tips for preparing nutritious meals, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 12, 19 and 26. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Ford Motor Company has issued a rare “do-not-drive” advisory for several models. The affected vehicles have officially been recalled — but some owners have yet to have repairs made.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The older vehicles have Takata airbag inflators, which could spew shrapnel if the airbags are deployed, posing a risk of serious injury or death for drivers and passengers.

The recall affects about 374,000 Ford cars and trucks in the U.S. that have not been repaired yet. Affected vehicles include:

• 2004-2006 Ford Ranger pickups
• 2005-2014 Ford Mustangs
• 2005-2006 Ford GTs
• 2006-2012 Ford Fusions, Mercury Milans and Lincoln MKZs
• 2007-2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles
• 2007-2011 Ford Rangers

The recall also affects another 82,000 Mazdas.

Ford says customers should not drive the vehicles anywhere to get repairs. Dealers can tow vehicles directly to their facilities. They will also offer a free loaner vehicle to customers if needed.

More stories for Aug. 14, 2024:

• Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will be a featured speaker at next week’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Novi. The event is a major fundraiser for the Oakland County Republican Party.
• Dearborn is holding its first-ever community health survey. The city’s health department is starting the initiative to get a better understanding of residents’ health status and access to health care assets.
• The Michigan Gaming Control Board has voted to renew the licenses of Detroit’s three casinos. The one-year renewal affects the MGM Grand Casino, Motor City Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
• The city of Detroit announced that it’s now offering free wi-fi in five parks. Residents can use the service in Bradby, Chandler, Clark, McDuffy and Palmer Parks.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Detroit has been the epicenter of the global automotive industry for more than a century. Although foreign competitors from around the world have taken big bites out of America’s market share, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis still command a huge piece of global production and sales. And that continues to fuel the local economy here in Southeast Michigan.  

But according to some experts, a major disruption is on the horizon, and this time it’s coming from China.

Michael Dunne is the CEO of Dunne Insights and he’s one of the leading thinkers when it comes to the auto industry in China. He recently wrote in his newsletter that by the end of the decade, China’s market capacity could climb to 75% of the world’s volume. Dunne joined The Metro on Monday to discuss the growing Chinese automotive market.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Dunne explains that “it’s not a matter of if, but when” China becomes a major automotive challenger. 

“This year, China will build more than 30 million vehicles, that’s three times what America makes. China will build more electric vehicles than all other countries combined,” Duanne says. “Probably most important, China’s able to build these cars at 20–30%, more cheaply than we are here in the U.S. or even in Europe.”

According to Dunne, China is sending a great number of cars to Mexico, the U.K., Brazil and other countries across the world except for the U.S. And it isn’t only Chinese auto companies producing cars in China, but also legacy automakers like Detroit’s Big Three producing cars there.

“These companies are turning to China as a production hub for export to markets globally,” Dunne said. “So this is a really disconcerting, alarming trend. Not just the Chinese automakers are liking their chances exporting out of China, but the global automakers too are joining the trend.” 

Use the media player above to hear the full interview with Dunne.

More headlines from The Metro for Aug. 5, 2024:

• COVID-19 has been on the minds of more Michiganders lately as the number of cases doubled from June to July. So how much did COVID spread in Michigan during July? And how dangerous is the infection at this point? Dr. Matthew Sims, the Director of Infectious Disease Research at Corewell Health East, joined The Metro to discuss.
• Liz Triden, the Executive Director of Science & Social Studies at the Detroit Public Schools Community District, is working to create a think tank that centers around the desires of students. She joined The Metro to discuss the new Social Studies Student Think Tank and how it aims to give young people the opportunity to make suggestions that shape their education.
• Local Black femme punk rock group We Are Scorpio consists of Detroit Poet Laureate jessica Care moore and singer, songwriter and performer Steffanie Christi’an. Christi’an joined The Metro to discuss the group’s upcoming performances and new music.