Europe Seriously Contemplating Banning Large SUVs

They are large, heavy, consume too much and are dangerous for pedestrian safety

European campaigners are calling for reforms that could limit future sales of large off-road vehicles in the European Union. Recent studies show that the growing popularity of these cars not only hinders mobility in cities but also negatively affects pedestrian safety.

In Europe, SUV models have been gaining popularity in the last decade and were previously mostly associated with American roads. They are impressive in size, offer plenty of cargo space, and provide drivers with a sense of comfort and safety. However, as many organizations warn, despite these advantages, large cars also carry serious risks, especially for public safety. These concerns should be confirmed by a recent report showing that the average width of new cars sold in Europe increases by one centimeter every two years. It is currently between 170 and 180 cm, which is 11 centimeters more than in 2001. Activists warn that if European countries do not solve the problem with bulky cars, soon there will be only “small buses” on the streets.

They are also big polluters of the environment

But that’s not all we should worry about. Namely, long, wide, and heavy cars, like modern SUVs, represent a much greater threat to pedestrians, as confirmed by last year’s study by the European Council for Traffic Safety. Experts’ opinions show that at speeds of more than 64 kilometers per hour, the fatality rate of pedestrians hit by a classic passenger car is a worrying 53%, while for SUVs it is up to 100%. At the same time, they emphasize that heavy vehicles consume disproportionately more fuel than traditional cars, and it is also known that they are bigger polluters of the environment. In addition, their size makes them ungrateful to drive and less predictable on the road, which increases the risk in city traffic.

The European Parliament has already announced a response to alarming signals from experts and said it will take measures to reduce the number of SUVs and SUVs on European roads. According to numerous media, the first steps in this direction have already been taken by France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Paris and Brussels are considering introducing additional parking fees for larger and heavier vehicles, while Amsterdam has, for some time, banned SUVs from entering central parts of the city.

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