Think about how much bigger trucks and SUVs are than they used to be. While driving the Ram 1500 and Ford Expedition Max, I wondered if all the space they had to offer was necessary. The government thinks large trucks and SUVs have hit their limits. 

The government wants to limit the size of large trucks and SUVs 

According to Planetizen, the federal government thinks that large trucks and SUVs shouldn’t get any bigger. Lawmakers have been working to make sure standards are set for vehicle height and visibility. 

This move is to protect pedestrians after a sharp increase in deaths during the past decade. There is a correlation between roadway fatalities, especially for pedestrians and cyclists as cars get bigger. 

Vehicles have gotten about 10 inches longer, 8.0 inches taller, and about 1,000 lbs heavier. Plus, SUVs and pickup trucks make up three-quarters of the road. They only took up 38% of the road in 2009. 

Sure, big trucks and SUVs are safer for occupants in some cases. But they present more danger for those on the outside. 

Vehicles with higher front ends and blunt profiles are 45% more likely to cause fatalities during collisions with smaller cars and pedestrians. Annual pedestrian deaths have increased by over 75% after reaching the lowest point in 2009. 

Drivers with larger vehicles also require more parking space, produce higher rates of carbon emissions, and lead to more damage on the road. 

That’s why congress introduced the Pedestrian Safety Act Bill, which would require federal standards for hood heights and visibility to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. 

The bill would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to set the standards. They would apply to all new cars. 

I assume that existing large trucks and SUVs would still be allowed on the road. It’s also possible that setting strict standards would cause major options like the Ford F-450, and Chevrolet Suburban to be redesigned. 

That could mess up production for years, but stay tuned for updates.