To think levying additional charges on SUV owners in London is a bad idea?

So they are safer for you to drive with your child in them? Bollocks to other people’s children then if you hit them. They aren’t as important as your child.

I wish they’d tax them more everywhere, and charge them more for parking (as Paris does).

Actually, I wish they’d ban the fucking things, full stop, but acknowledge that’s probably too tricky, so taxing them to the hilt would be a good start.

Yes. Nobody is stopping them having these stupid vehicles, I don’t see why they shouldn’t pay for the extra space, weight, etc.

Ugh I accidentally voted YANBU.

you don’t need an SUV in London.

It won't raise much revenue if it influences behaviour. Time will tell if it influences behaviour and if people sell their SUVs or when it's time to replace will they opt for smaller cars. I guess if it works as a behaviour tool he could extend it to other vehicles deemed unsafe. I do find getting around London now in a car very slow and irritating. I usually opt for train or tube of going anywhere but there are times you need a car.

He should go much further.
Beef up public transport and pedestrianise the whole city.

Oh I didn’t know about this idea. I LOVE it!!

I’m in London and surrounded by SUVs. Not only are they more dangerous for pedestrians, but they take up way more than their fair share of road space, which is at a premium in London. There are loads of roads round here where two normal cars can pass each other but if one is an SUV, they can’t (let alone if both are!). Similarly there are lots of parking spaces where a normal car will fit within the lines but a parked SUV overhangs and takes up some of the road space. So they are causing extra traffic as they block up the roads more. Not to mention half of SUV drivers seem to be incapable of tucking into a space or reversing and expect the other driver to…

Bring it on Sadiq!!!

OP, if your loved one is walking down the road and gets hit by a car, would you prefer they were hit by a small car or an SUV? Would you prefer your children to breathe air pollution by smaller cars or polluted by bigger cars?

It’s a bloody great idea. They should also make them pay more for the bigger parking spaces they need.

But you can keep the SUV it will just cost more to drive them in London.
Which people will pay

SUVs are a fucking menace to cyclists and pedestrians. I loathe them and would tax them into the ground. How's your little influencing campaign going so far OP?

You didn’t mention that Khan is also encouraging the Metropolitan Police to swap his large armoured car for a smaller one.

He doesn’t own an SUV

He is right that London parking spaces and streets are not made for SUVs, whatever the regs may say. This is on top of the proven excessive danger to others when SUVs are involved in an accident.

So I agree with @GasperyJacquesRoberts

Speed limits are already 20mph in most of London. How much lower do you want them to go?

I entirely agree with Mr Khan, which is something I thought I'd never say. Evidence-based policymaking - whoddathunkit?

Tax these things out of existence.

No, fuck 'em

"They feel so much safer to drive compared to smaller cars. Also, should the worst happen and you are involved in a collision, I would very strongly prefer to be in an SUV than a smaller car. I'd want my loved ones to be in an SUV as well if I had to choose."

Many years ago when Volvo based their marketing on safety, side impact protection etc, a survey discovered that Volvo's where involved in more accidents than was statistically likely, the researchers hypothesis was that because of the perceived safety, Volvo owners took more risks.. It is likely the same is true of the Chelsea Tractors I see abandoned on double yellows near local schools.

@FirmNavyCat it's purely a tax raising initiative.

Khan could just as easily decide that all red cars should be penalised, the problem is SUV owners have somewhat, of a "bad rep" and are an easy target so it can be "justified".

Sadly, some of the proletariat are just so gullible, they'll believe any bs that our politicians espouse.

SUVs are so dangerous to pedestrians particularly children. The extra weight also damages roads. Absolutely no need for them in London at all.

So your perception of your own safety is more important than the documented dangers that huge SUVs pose to others. Or, more succinctly, "fuck everyone else".