WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - A U.S. regulator said on

Monday it is proposing a requirement that some future vehicles

be redesigned to reduce the risks of serious or fatal injuries

in crashes involving pedestrians amid a rise in such deaths.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the

new rule aims to reduce fatalities for pedestrians who strike

the hoods of vehicles, especially in pickup trucks and large

SUVs that do not currently meet international pedestrian

protections standards.

In 2022, the number of pedestrians killed in the U.S. rose

0.7% to 7,522, the most since 1981, while the number injured

rose 11%. The number of cyclists killed increased 13% to 1,105

in 2022, the most since at least 1980. NHTSA estimates the new

rule would eliminate about 67 fatalities annually.

Automakers would need to meet a new test simulating a

head-to-hood impact and reduce the risks of serious-to-fatal

head injuries in impacts at vehicle speeds of up to 25 mph (40

km/h), which account for about 70% of vehicle pedestrian

injuries.

An auto trade association representing General Motors

Toyota Motor, Volkswagen and others

did not immediately comment. The regulation would be effective

at least two years after publication of a final rule.

NHTSA said it is beginning the process of adopting a global

technical regulation on pedestrian protection. The agency first

submitted its plan to adopt the global regulation to the White

House in November for review.

Because of the widespread adoption of the global

regulation by other countries, most passenger vehicles sold in

the U.S. that use international platforms already incorporate

head protection designs, NHTSA said.

"This proposal would ensure that uniquely American

platforms, such as pickups, would provide the proposed level of

pedestrian head protection," NHTSA said.

The agency said in April it was finalizing rules

requiring nearly all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the

U.S. have automatic emergency braking systems by September 2029.

The regulation requires future vehicles to have automatic

emergency breaking systems designed to automatically stop

vehicles before striking pedestrians or reducing speeds before

impact.

Automakers have asked NHTSA to reconsider the regulation,

saying it "will require more costly systems that won't improve

driver or pedestrian safety."