To Say Tanks (SUVs) should be banned in cities

[Lovesgood]

www.fastcompany.com/90420280/should-we-ban-suvs

www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/07/a-deadly-problem-should-we-ban-suvs-from-our-cities

They are a pest! I have always disliked them. I know Im not BU by the way. This is something that needs to be looked into properly and where better to start than here on mumsnet where the standard reply about these crap cars is "But I need a tank to drive my kids to school" They are NOT safer than other cars! Its a myth peddled by the car industry and only people who have no clue about cars believe that! (So plenty of people sadly).

My main issue with these cars is the height. As a cyclist and pedestrian they make you much more vulnerable. My kids have to step into the road to be able to see if the road is clear, when SUVs are parked. On my bike other cars can’t see me and I struggle to see ahead in the road and am unable to make preemptive decisions. I totally, but quietly, judge anyone who owns a car like this if they are a city dweller. I think they are selfish knobheads 😁

I have an SUV because I can’t get into cars with a lower seating position and need the boot space for my mobility scooter or wheelchair. I have no other transport options because my local station isn’t accessible and the bus service is limited.

Your actually 11% more likely to be killed as a driver in a SUV involved in a crash than a saloon as they are much more likely to roll.

saloon And what about MPVs? My Meriva always felt less stable than the mid-sized SUV I now have. FWIW I didn't want an SUV, but I need something big enough to hold a drum kit, small enough to fit on the drive and able to cope with being driven into fields and along tractor trails. A Mondeo, for example, does none of those things.

It's a good way to figure out is someone is an arse

It's a good way to figure out is someone is an arse

Judging people by what car they drive? Absolutely, it’s fail safe.

Works for me

Agree and think the goal should be completely car free cities eventually, with the exception of blue badge holders.

Well designed and efficient public transport and a good park and ride system would be a solution for people who live rurally. Most cities already have them anyway.

While there are a few notable exceptions (wheelchair users, farmer types) most people don’t need an SUV. And even if it is green for an SUV, it isn’t as green as a smaller version, cycling or public transport.

I have to say though, this is an old debate on here. It's all been said a million times here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3688544-To-not-understand-the-obsession-with-SUVs-4x4s

However, that was pre-covid. I really would like to see a revolution in transport and far more people cycling.

Most cities already have a park and ride system in place.

Most of which are entirely unsuitable for the range of people with disabilities. "Accessible" vehicles are "one size fits all", and actually fit virtually nobody who isn't fit and able.

I drive an SUV because (a) I live in an area where I need reliable 4 wheel drive, (b) I cannot get into or out of lower vehicles, and (c) I cannot get my mobility aids to fit in anything else. I also cannot use park and ride because I can't walk when I get to the other end! And I also don't run people over because I'm a bloody careful driver. Unlike many of those I see driving other types of cars.

I have an SUV because I can’t get into cars with a lower seating position and need the boot space for my mobility scooter or wheelchair. I have no other transport options because my local station isn’t accessible and the bus service is limited

I've seen this argument run before (probably in the thread I just linked to) but the Honda Jazz and even the Toyota Yaris have a really good seating position for people with mobility problems. They don't fix the issue of space though - the boot in my Yaris is teeny tiny!

@HellloBambinos

Agree and think the goal should be completely car free cities eventually, with the exception of blue badge holders.

Well designed and efficient public transport and a good park and ride system would be a solution for people who live rurally. Most cities already have them anyway.

While there are a few notable exceptions (wheelchair users, farmer types) most people don’t need an SUV. And even if it is green for an SUV, it isn’t as green as a smaller version, cycling or public transport.

You understand that "Blue Badge Holder" or "Wheelchair user" aren't terms interchangeable with "person living with a disability" don't you?

I'm neither a blue badge holder or wheelchair user, however my disability is such that I cannot get into or out of a standard height vehicle or MPV unless it's exceptionally tall and also has a hip height boot without loading lip, nor anything much higher like a transit van or even a range rover. My options are pretty much SUV or SUV. Let's not get started on the woeful options re: public transport for someone who "doesn't look disabled" and needs a vehicle to get to work.

That said, I do think that with the inherent dangers of driving any form of taller than average vehicle, and those with larger engine sizes, that there should be an additional proficiency test required such as the system in place for motorcycle licensing.

A person doesn't become a dickhead once they own an SUV... they were always a dickhead.

Love how all those that want SUVs banned are ignoring or don't have a response to the questions about disabled people relying on them. Hmm says a lot of them.

My MIL has an SUV which she brought following an accident in her hatchback. She was completely terrified of driving after the accident which resulted in having to be cut from her car and a hospital stay. She refused to get back in a car for over 4 months however she has to have a car for her job. The only car she would go in was my ford Kuga as she said because she was higher up and the car was more solid she felt safer. She then went out and brought a suv.
To me they do feel safer. I hated putting my DS in our 'little car' when he was first born and even now at 1. He is higher up in our bigger car and the doors are much more solid.

So I think YABVU

@MsTSwift

But we would need decent affordable and practical public transport after 8pm! My city has very few buses after 7pm, hardly anything on a sunday, no buses that run to the main retail and business park area from my house (journey time 10-15 mins by car, 60-70 mins by bus, 2 companies so two different day/week passes needed). It's hilly so bikes are not an option plus you can't do a family shop on a bike. I'm just moving elsewhere which has off road cycle routes, a supermarket nearby etc it's lovely but it's not a city (and kids have fled the neat so no football practice!!!)

@Orangesox you are absolutely right and that is something that would have to be explored further. Perhaps regulating SUV ownership so that they are available to people with mobility issues but not Joe Bloggs.

But I think that it is possible to get rid of SUVs (well all cars really) in the main in cities and still make allowances and provisions for those who rely on them.

I don’t see the point in writing off the whole idea as impossible because there are a few people who genuinely need them. The vast majority of people don’t need SUVs and can make better use of public transport.

Plenty of people can't cycle for various reasons.
Chief among which is the presence on the roads of squadrons of lunatics on four wheels. So, turn city centres car-free and the biggest reason is null and void.

All buses on timetabled routes are low-floor now, almost all trains are fully accessible (the last of the Pacer fleet and slam-door coaching stock is due for imminent withdrawal) and the list of step-free railway stations is growing as the access for all scheme runs.

YABU

My father had an car accident. The recovery men said, and I absolutely believe them, that he would had died had he been in a smaller car.

I also love my SUV.

You yeah, YABU, but you don't really care about that.

Works for me

You’re absolutely right, it definitely works for you.

So I will say this again to all those SUV haters: what is your response to all the points raised about disabled people?

Come on, if you want to have a debate about the subject then you should actually address all points. If you can't then clearly you logic is flawed.

Agree OP and I'd go even further
Unless it's part of your job, I'd ban cars altogether.

Unless it's part of your job, I'd ban cars altogether

Yeah, that’s practical

But I think that it is possible to get rid of SUVs (well all cars really) in the main in cities and still make allowances and provisions for those who rely on them.

Ok, how?

You then have a system where it is mostly traffic free and people get used to walking without checking for cars, then Bingo! one turns up as a disabled vehicle and the pedestrians are not alert and expecting it. That is more dangerous than currently. Also, there are disabilities which you won't get a blue badge for. No one has given any opinion on how I should get my epileptic DD home post seizure if I cannot drive her home, it would be absolutely cruel to make her sit on a bus, assuming we got a seat (Loads of people would look at her and say-she is not disabled she is too young!) She is not entitled to a blue badge BTW.

An awful lot of work would need to be done on public transport to make banning cars even remotely possible. There isn't a reliable connection from my home to my work so I have no idea how I could manage my commute and it's only really 30/40 mins depending on traffic by car. If the government can make a very substantial investment in other methods of transport then maybe but that seems quite unlikely don't you think?

www.brake.org.uk/what-s-happening/1296-choosing-safe-vehicles SUVs are more dangerous to those around them, they just keep the passengers safer. Fewer passengers die in road accidents these days, but more pedestrians and cyclists do. Probably something to do with the style of car people are buying now. My stepdaughter goes to school in an affluent area and it does seem that if you have an SUV you have to idle in the car park. The two Teslas never idle