To think the law needs to change on 4x4s and Supersized SUVs in Cities.

[JustMint]

Unsure how, but today's news is just horrifying, these vehicles really need to be reduced in numbers in residential areas in my opinion. They are significantly heavier than smaller cars (I know that's stating the obvious) but who really needs a 4X4 in a city?

Very much understand the position you've found yourselves in, and so I'm not saying this to "you" specifically, but - we can only discourage the manufacturers from making predominantly SUVs by not buying them. That's how it works - they make what people buy and phase out everything else. We've got to vote with our money or the cycle continues.

It may well just be a fluke that both the major cities I've lived in have had plenty of estate car style options that would also tick almost all the boxes most people buy SUVs to fill still kicking around that anyone who knows how to use a wrench and youtube could keep running a decent while for their money.

Amongst all of the safety tests cars have to pass, I think we need one which looks at the injuries a pedestrian would get if hit by the car. It's all very well and good to look after yourself and your family by buying a tank, but there is a responsibility to other road users too. SUVs are built like tanks - protect those inside the vehicle and to hell with everyone else.

You would think people wouldn't drive them if they didn't have to. We have a mini bus because we have 5 dc with a lot of kit but when we can we take the tiny car that we bought when dc1 and dc2 were little. The mini bus is a nightmare to park and guzzles fuel so we only drive it when we have to.

There is a test for pedestrian impact, it's part of the NCAP safety testing that most cars in Europe go through.

Most modern cars have emergency brake assist as well like a PP pointed out, and other features which are supposed to reduce the chances of collisions in the first place. I don't know how old the car in this case was, perhaps it didn't have those safety features, or they failed for some reason. I'm sure the manufacturer will investigate as well as the police etc.

I think legislation is much more likely to change manufacturer patterns than the individual behaviour of a single consumer, especially when most people aren't even aware of the issues - I don't think we were 3 years ago when we went for our first SUV style (previous versions of the same car were estate!) I thought people just didn't like them because of the petrol usage, but that's not even true for modern ones, they are quite fuel efficient.

I understand from the video posted above (and some other sources) that the trend towards SUV type cars started in US because of the exemption of SUVs from various requirements applying to other passenger vehicles. As far as I'm aware, that isn't something that applies in Europe though so I'm a bit puzzled as to why the same trend is happening here.

We don't feel confident repairing our own car via youtube, we would rather lease one and have it under warranty, which is why we end up with a smaller choice of models.

This is not even to get into the problem that the more SUV type cars on the road, the more people tend to feel unsafe in smaller cars and prefer larger ones.

The whole thing could be down to mechanical failure, in which case Land Rover could have a huge recall on their hands if this is indeed the case or if it contributed towards it.If it was because of drink/drug/mobile phone use, throw the book at her and make an example of her

That's pretty much the way peoples brains work.

So for example we are destroying the planet with aircraft emissions. But what the hell, I want to go on holiday and Spain is the best place because its warm. So to hell with the planet I'm going to keep my holiday.

I'd challenge the idea of no other car being suitable. And the diesel thing is weird. Any large SUV if you get petrol is going to cost a small fortune in fuel.

And any small SUV is easily replaced by an estate car.

Why can you not have an estate car ?

And why is it unnecessary if you have no other choice ?

The only reason I think someone might need (as apposed to want) a 4x4 is traction and ground clearance. That really is the end of it.

I already explained this in the post that you quoted. Because the only non-SUV options were much older (fewer safety features, less reliable) or too expensive or they were diesel cars (long story, not feasible).

It's unnecessary because we don't care about it being SUV style. If we could have had the same features (7 seats, modern safety features, price we can afford, offered by our current dealer) in a non SUV style then we would have gone for non SUV.

We had to stick with this dealer because they will let us keep the car that we have now until the new one comes into stock. Without that agreement we'd have had to pay for two cars at once or be without a car for several months.

Diesel isn't about cost, it's because we live somewhere (not the UK) that diesel is basically prohibited so it's a pain to drive them anywhere.

But anyway, the minute details of my family's specific choice is really not the point I'm making, the point I'm making is that when you walk into a dealership looking for a car, they are REALLY pushing the SUVs. And most people don't care that much about what specific car they drive. They will have a few tick box features and a budget and within that it doesn't really matter. So they'll end up with an SUV, as we did.

It's really hilarious how all the suv drivers are falling over themselves to defend their utterly selfish choices.

Exactly. This sums it up. Selfishness.

great article from the FT https://www.ft.com/content/7612e3c0-0e10-4cfb-895d-40b2e5d083b9

It's a selfish choice, SUVs are more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists and the mums defending them on here must know this. They also add significantly more to C02 emmissions
'The I.E.A. report noted that the average S.U.V. consumes about twenty per cent more oil than the average medium-sized car does to drive the same number of miles. Oil use translates directly into CO2, so the average S.U.V. is also releasing twenty per cent more carbon per mile driven./ Source the New Yorker

Most people driving them don't need SUVs they just want them. If they are disabled and need them then there should be an exception made same if needed for farming etc otherwise massively increase the taxes on these oversized, dangerous, unsustainable, road hogs and use the tax to improve public transport.

I think 'all inclusive' finance deals are an issue too.

insurance, tax and fuel should never be included in such deals.

tax them extra if fhey don't fit standard parking bays as well.
in my area it's also self parking teslas that take up more room kerbside as they are so wide and self parking puts them half a foot away from the kerb.

You'd use taxation & the law? instead of stupidly getting rid of all fossil fuel cars in less than 7 years, which few can afford or charge plus EV's tend to be very big and very heavy, crappy technology.

How about restrictions on engine size? with a few exceptions, no one needs more than 1.5l car, with tax breaks on sub 1.0l, these engines produce next to no emissions too.

@Alyso my choice is because I'm disabled and I live rurally and I need 4x4 capabilities.

I can't get in and out of a normal car - my heart broke when I had to change from my little car.

Also - what is meant by an SUV on this thread? Lots of cars are advertised as SUVs that aren't landrovers and the like.

also, sense of superiority, the driving position is much higher, they can look down on the lesser beings.

As if I have a sense of superiority. I'm just glad to be able to still drive I was terrified I'd have to give up and be completely housebound.

my choice is because I'm disabled and I live rurally and I need 4x4 capabilities

So not who the thread is about at all then

If they're banned in cities how do I get to my medical appointments?

speIuncean, You could be entitled to PIP (extra money for people who have disabilities that stop them travelling etc) this covers the cost of taxis etc for things like medical appointments. My friend has it and she takes taxis to get to the hospital or sometimes the hospital might arrange travel, it is worth applying for, as it can be hundreds of pounds a month.

I get low rate pip. A taxi into town from here is £25 each way.

And a taxi to the city for my hospital appointments would be £100 each way.

but who really needs a 4X4 in a city

Disabled people like myself need SUVs as many of us cannot get into lower cars! Granted, we don't need a 4x4 but I think it's obvious you meant SUVs rather than SUV's with a 4 wheel drive setting specifically

Have you any idea how hard it is to get high rate mobility?