Safety of SUVs under the spotlight in new research
New research has revealed that concerns around the safety of SUVs are growing, with many supporting the idea of stricter design regulations.
According to July’s new Startline Used Car Tracker, 35% believe new regulations are needed to enforce safer SUV designs and 18% want the motor industry to promote non-SUV cars.
Meanwhile, 21% think SUVs should be taxed more because of their threat to safety, 19% support the idea of restricting their access to pedestrian-heavy areas and 10% agree that they are driven more carelessly than other car types.
This comes after recent research by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London found the likelihood of death is 44% higher for adults and 82% higher for children if they are hit by an SUV rather than a standard car.
Increased safety risk
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “SUVs have become the usual choice for most drivers in the UK who tend to like their higher seating position, adaptability for family life, and their go-anywhere image.
“However, our research shows there is a significant minority of people who are concerned about the increased safety risks that they bring, especially when it comes to pedestrians surviving impacts.
“It would probably be premature to say that there is a backlash against SUVs but there’s clearly a high degree of unease about how common they have become on our roads.”
