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?

You could but it's unlikely. You could actually collide with another pedestrian and be killed or seriously injured. The danger posed is proportional to size, weight and speed.

Ironically the general increase in size and weight is largely due to mandatory occupant and primary safety features.

American style pick up trucks need to be included in this too. They seem to be spreading like sort of disease near me. I am baffled as to why, they are also really unsafe for other cars and pedestrians, maybe even worse as they have higher bonnets. None of them look like they ever go off road either.

They dont even fit in an average UK parking space.

This. No one NEEDS an SUV, although they'll swear blind that they do. It's another empty status symbol in our "bigger, better" consumerist society and I am so so bored of it.

Eh? I didn't say they couldn't, ALL cars are larger and heavier than they used to be - mainly due to the mandatory safety features.
Compare 70's Fiesta and Polo to current ones.

Very small electric cars weigh as much as a petrol 4x4 because of the weight of the battery. Electric suvs weigh very much more than non-electric suvs. Are you going to ban SUVs but allow electric vans? Why?

The move towards electric is not good news for pedestrian safety. Doesn’t mean we should ban cars.

@NIGHTNAMECHANGE and this is is why modern society is so shit - because everyone wants “their rights” to do what they want and just fuck everyone else. Laws are their to protect society at large from selfish pricks luckily - just a shame it never extends to selfish pricks in cars.

There not their

No - you were right first time :)

Exactly. Selfish and grotesque vehicles.

I’ve got an SUV and live just outside a city. I take it into the city quite often too. I can’t fit my mobility scooter into anything else and I need something high up to get in and out of. I’d love a smaller car but it’s not possible or practical.

You can’t judge everyone who passes you by in their SUV because some disabilities are invisible or their wheelchair might be hidden away in the boot, out of sight. We don’t live in an ideal world and we never will.

The car industry is encouraging people into buying SUVs as they claim that’s what customers in the UK want. Toyota will not be releasing its new electric Prius in the UK as apparently we only want large 4x4 type vehicles :((

The other thing about taxing the crap out of them is that they are pretty much exclusively driven by "rich Tories".

These are the same "rich Tories" that Labour supporters keep going on about as a depository of near infinite wealth that is going to fund the entire nations increased handouts going forwards.

So IMO Sir Keir should get an early start in and get right behind this popular policy.

IMO the reason many people have these vehicles (I’m not saying all of them) is for status reasons. And I’m afraid to say that a certain percentage of the drivers do come across as more arrogant than the usual - ‘Get out of my way, I’m bigger and more important than you.’ This is from observation of a great many in this relatively affluent SW London suburb.

I dare say someone will say I’m just jealous - I do assure you that I’m not. Dh and I could easily afford one each, without remotely affecting our standard of living. We just don’t feel the need.

I live in a city. I drive a VW transporter as I have three children and we do lots of outdoor activities which need big pieces of equipment. I can’t afford a second car so I also use it for the supermarket, school runs in terrible weather, to nip to my sister in the middle of town. I’d be quite happy to take a test to show I’m capable of driving it but I do actually need it and won’t be giving it up! I admit it makes me feel safe driving such a bit vehicle as well.

@Fightyouforthatpie it was the second “there” I spelt wrong 😄

Absolutely! It's totally infuriating. Of course people die in accidents involving small cars. That doesn't mean the risks aren't greater with larger and heavier ones!

I live v close to where the accident happened.

You are not wrong. The number of massive 4x4s is ridiculous, and the driving quality is generally pretty bad too.

People think they have lots of space and keep their family safe. Both true, but at the expense of pollution, traffic speed and endangering others’ children.

you would literally have to ban them to reduce it though. If you put up taxes on them, some would see that as an incentive, as it increases your bragging rights in being able to afford it.

People are totally selfish about them though, I doubt it will change.

If we applied the technology in hire scooters to cars the road would be much safer. Speed limiters, geofenced areas and restrictied parking etc. it already exists but they choose not to apply it despite the SUVs and large vehicles being hugely more dangerous and this is the consequence. A few individuals having the freedom to cause massive harm and putting everyone else in danger.

Apart from those of us that need to drive off road........

As awful as this may sound the location of the incident today may make it stay in the news, if it turns out the vehicle itself was a factor. If the child's family wanted to campaign they would hold a lot more clout coming from wealthy London suburb.
Sad but true.

Their height is terrifying too - if I were to be broadsided by one in my car I wouldn’t stand a chance as it would collide with my head.

I can’t even think about the damage it would cause to my DC and DH who all cycle 😢