US updates vehicle safety ratings to include new crash prevention features

The U.S. government will update vehicle safety ratings starting with the 2026 model year. New features will include pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot warnings, as mandated by the 2021 infrastructure law. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will also enhance testing procedures for existing technologies like automatic emergency braking. Vehicles will receive green check marks for safety features, with a pass or fail grade initially, transitioning to scores for consumer comparison. These changes aim to improve safety for both vehicle occupants and pedestrians. The last update to safety standards was in 2008, and pedestrian deaths have increased significantly since then, highlighting the need for these new regulations.