Solicitors have demanded targeted measures affecting SUV owners across the UK, including the introduction of "restrictions", new rules and "weight-based" charges. Taylor Walding, Solicitor at Bolt Burdon Kemp, stressed that SUVs needed to follow tougher rules due to their "limited visibility" and blind spots.
The group argues that larger vehicles tend to contribute to "more severe crashes" in a major concern on UK roads. Bolt Burdon Kemp claims that "restricting SUVs in cities" or introducing rules such as extra "weight-based levies" or stricter visibility standards could improve road safety. Research from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine shows children are 82% more likely to be killed if struck by an SUV compared to a smaller car.
Meanwhile, data shows that the risk of death for pedestrians and cyclists is 44% higher if they are involved in a collision with a larger vehicle.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, Taylor said: "Despite these increased risks, SUVs are legally treated as any other standard passenger vehicles.
"Their raised bonnets and larger blind spots make it harder to see children and vulnerable road users. Worryingly, some SUVs have such limited visibility, the driver could not see a 9-year-old standing directly in front of them. Moreover, their heavier weight will also mean more severe crashes.
"With a lack of any legislative change on this issue, we must consider restricting SUVs in cities or introducing measures like weight-based levies and mandatory visibility standards to protect lives."
London councils are already looking at taking action, with some considering a parking surcharge on larger vehicles. Some have already started the fightback with an emissions-based parking scheme in place in certain areas over the past year.
This often disproportionately impacts SUVs, which tend to emit higher emissions than smaller petrol and diesel models.
The Transport Committee of the London Assembly has also called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to ask borough councils to charge higher parking fees on SUV models.
Taylor added: "With the surge in popularity of SUVs, our cars continue to grow larger, but the size of our roads remain unchanged. In London alone, SUVs now occupy space equivalent to the entire borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This poses serious safety risks."