SUVs are more dangerous, say a third of drivers
A third of respondents to a new IAM RoadSmart survey believe SUVs are more dangerous to pedestrians than smaller vehicles.
Of the 1,048 UK motorists questioned, 32% said SUVs posed a greater risk to pedestrians than smaller vehicles, while 33% said they were a greater risk to cyclists.
More than a fifth (21%) believe they should be banned from areas with high footfall such as city centres, while 32% agree with increasing Vehicle Excise Duty on SUVs given the greater wear and tear on the roads and higher levels of emissions coming from these vehicles.
However, 52% believe occupants of an SUV are safer than those in smaller vehicles.
Car spreading
IAM RoadSmart policy and standards director Nicholas Lyes said: “Huge cars were once associated with the USA, but car spreading is alive and well in the UK.
“Many drivers will have noticed that fitting a car into a space has become tighter compared to 20 years ago and may also hold their breath if they see a large oncoming SUV on a narrow country road. Despite the fact that these cars are growing, both in size and popularity, our roads and parking spaces are not significantly wider and something needs to give.
“Arguably, it is not the vehicle most at play but the driver who should be in control and have a greater spatial understanding of their vehicle. By doing so, this should foster more careful driving, particularly on rural roads and in busy urban environments.”
Demand
He continued: “However, with demand for bigger cars showing no sign of abating, we believe improvements to vehicle design such as mandating bumpers and hoods from materials that reduce injury severity, and pedestrian automatic emergency breaking. External airbags should also be explored to mitigate against the size and weight of the vehicle.
“While cities may opt for charges or hiking parking fees to discourage use, our view is that safer vehicle design and enhanced driver education can make the biggest difference.”
