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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To Say Tanks (SUVs) should be banned in cities

248 replies

Lovesgood · 31/05/2020 13:45

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).

OP posts:
PhoneLock · 31/05/2020 18:45

4x4's don't have the same crumple zones as a standard car. So, in an accident a pedestrian is more likely to be seriously injured/killed.

Crumple zones aren't intended to protect pedestrians. They are intended to reduce the consequences of impacts with other vehicles.

There some studies that show that a pedestrian struck by an 4x4 is less likely to be injured because the impact forces are spread over a larger area.

HavelockVetinari · 31/05/2020 18:47

I think the folk saying YABU are all failing to address the salient point here - they are far more dangerous for other people. They are far more likely to kill other people.

Saying that it's economical, spacious, a free country, people who complain are "boring" etc. smacks of "I know I'm being a selfish shit but I'm too embarrassed to admit it".

Own it. Admit that it's (for the vast majority) selfish.*

  • farmers exempt. Not others who live rurally though, unless you're towing a horse box or transporting livestock.
HavelockVetinari · 31/05/2020 18:48

@PhoneLock

4x4's don't have the same crumple zones as a standard car. So, in an accident a pedestrian is more likely to be seriously injured/killed.

Crumple zones aren't intended to protect pedestrians. They are intended to reduce the consequences of impacts with other vehicles.

There some studies that show that a pedestrian struck by an 4x4 is less likely to be injured because the impact forces are spread over a larger area.

Link please?
GreytExpectations · 31/05/2020 18:51

I was a single parent with two toddlers. No car. I had a double buggy or a sling and buggy or one buggy and reigns. We still managed to get about and go on holidays and I was fit as a fiddle with all the walking I did.

Well done for you, would you like a medal? Clearly you have missed my point because what do you expect to happen to those who are disabled, who can't be "fit as a fiddle"?

Orangesox · 31/05/2020 18:55

@HellloBambinos I would suggest all the things I've already suggested. I.e improving transport networks and options that incentivise those who are able to use said options to use them, rather than taking away the freedoms of those who can't. Yes, there'll always be someone who just can't be arsed, and will choose to use their car anyway, much like there's always someone who can't be bothered to walk the two steps further up the bus to a regular seat and will choose the only raised seat there is etc. But if you've moved a significant proportion of the traffic off the roads or out of the city, then why is that not good enough? When I was able to do so, I would've much preferred to get the train in to the city, but often the timings or the cost was prohibitive - remove those barrier for most and it will have a far greater benefit than removing my right to drive the vehicle that I need.

If you cannot see how narrow minded you're being by saying "ah yes, but we'll allow those who meet some arbitrary standard to have x or y vehicle" then you really are quite ableist.

Not all people living with a disability experience a specific set of problems... I didn't wake up one morning with my problems, they came on slowly, insidiously. If I hadn't had the freedom to be able to purchase the right car for myself at the right time, I certainly wouldn't be able to do the job I do now, I wouldn't be paying the honking great amount of tax and national insurance that I pay each month, and I wouldn't still be able to be an active member of society. If I'd had to wait to be "disabled" enough for those things, I'd have probably given up on life full stop.

totallyyesno · 31/05/2020 18:57

I agree OP.

HorseChestnutTree · 31/05/2020 18:59

That people should just be allowed to continue polluting the planet with vehicles as they see fit?

Reducing car usage has to be voluntary, it has to be backed by good policies which give consideration to all users, and it should not be forced on people by making cities vehicle free.
If lots of people decide they want to switch to others methods of transport then that will reduce car usage then great- but to enforce a ban which will disadvantage many many people with no other options is really unjust policy.

OneMoreLight · 31/05/2020 19:05

I agree that there is way too many of them in towns and cities, not sure there's a lot we can do about it. I don't think people who don't need them for rural driving or disability reasons should buy them, but there's no way to stop it.

I hate getting back to my car and finding I'm stuck between two tall cars. I always reverse in to a space but not being able to see what's coming makes it more difficult to drive out. At least with 'normal' cars you can see through their windows.

I usually look for an end space or park far away from the shop entrance.

LudaMusser · 31/05/2020 19:14

I don't have a problem with SUV's, it's 4x4's that I don't like. I don't get why you'd buy one and never use it for what it's been designed for

Lexilooo · 31/05/2020 19:14

Go on then OP you find me a "city car" that can tow a 3tonne trailer off a muddy field and that has a massive load space.

LexMitior · 31/05/2020 19:20

I agree. They are more lethal than other cars.

In terms of discouraging them in cities, I’d probably just tax the engine capacity for cars.

HeyBlaby · 31/05/2020 19:20

From looking into the studies done on safety and emissions in relation to SUVs in the past, most studies seem to consider everything from a Fiat Panda and similar to a Landrover Discovery as one.

Not much comparison between the two though really.

LexMitior · 31/05/2020 19:21

Sorry, I should have said more lethal to pedestrians.

clipclop5 · 31/05/2020 19:33

YABU. Possibly a bit of jealousy sneaking in? What car do you drive OP?

Macncheeseballs · 31/05/2020 19:55

There are plenty of wealthy people who do not own cars. That's a wee bit ignorant

Macncheeseballs · 31/05/2020 19:57

Lexiloo, why would you be bringing a 3 tonne trailer into the city?

gingganggooleywotsit · 31/05/2020 19:58

YES yes and yes op. Absolutely agree. They are completely unnecessary in a city and are frequently seen as status symbols here where I live in Greater London. Bad for the environment and bad for fellow human beings. What's to like?

heartsonacake · 31/05/2020 20:15

YABVU. It’s none of your business what car anyone else drives.

SecretSpAD · 31/05/2020 20:18

When I lived full time in London I would have agreed with you. We had a tiny car that we used occasionally because everything we needed and wanted was on our doorstep.

Then we gained teenagers and moved to Cornwall.

We bought an SUV for the size, for the height (husband and I are short arses so need all the help we can get in the country lanes with high hedges) and for the ability to get out of our village when the weather is shit.

SecretSpAD · 31/05/2020 20:20

Oh and it is vital to get to "our" city which is 40 -odd minutes drive away down tiny lanes with high hedges.

Disclaimer - was born and raised in London and previous experience of SUV types included the desert and scary African roads. But give me those over Cornish lanes any day.

Welshmaenad · 31/05/2020 20:24

I drive a crossover SUV. It's a hybrid. I drive it because I'm disabled and can't get in and out of a lower slung car without pain (when I travel as a passenger in my DP's BMW he has to pretty much lift me out of the car - he's changing his car soon and is looking for an SUV that I can actually get in and out of). I need the boot space to transport my mobility scooter plus all the kids' shit plus shopping and whatever. I cannot take my mobility scooter on buses and my local train station is not accessible. The idea of me cycling is clearly laughable.

So are you saying I'm not allowed in cities any more? Because that's basically what a ban on SUVs would do - remove my ability to go shopping independently.

FloreanFortescue · 31/05/2020 20:41

My previous car was about as big an SUV as I can think of but yet on its V5 it was an estate.

SecretSpAD · 31/05/2020 20:46

With cities and towns now being the victim of coronavirus, and more people using online shopping, it would be a very short sighted local council who decided to ban a type of vehicle from the city/town. In many parts of the country the public transport is crap, so, with more ams more businesses moving online it may we'll end up to the detriment of the city and town centres if they do this.

Cycling in Cornwall is awesome. I say that because my family are all seriously keen. If I was less keen, less fit, less used to hills and narrow lanes - no fucking way would I get on a bike here.

PhoneLock · 31/05/2020 20:49

Link please?

You will have to do your own research. The studies I referred to were cited when Top Gear or 5th Gear, I can't remember which, did a piece on 4x4/SUV safety.

Happydaysforever123 · 31/05/2020 21:05

Can i suggest you go onto NCAP and look at the pedestrian safety ratings for different cars versus SUV's.