In 2005, Europe required cars to provide more head and leg protection to pedestrians. That same year, Japan adopted rules to provide more head protection from injuries. In 2010, European cars will have to meet even tighter safety standards.
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Though there is no U.S. regulation requiring it, some manufacturers — most notably Honda — are applying pedestrian safety features to cars sold in the U.S. Among other things, Honda has put more room between the hood and engine to soften the impact of any head collision. Virtually all new Honda and Acura cars sold in the U.S. have also been redesigned to have collapsible hood hinges and breakaway windshield wiper pivots; also fenders are on collapsible brackets so they have give if they come into contact with a person.

Next up, says Honda, are pop-up hood systems, such as the one Honda developed for its Legend sold in Europe, According to Honda: “This is a system that senses when a pedestrian is struck by the bumper and then uses a pyrotechnic charge (similar to an airbag inflator) to lift the back edge of the hood about 3 to 4 inches.”