Experts are sounding alarms over the global proliferation of sport utility vehicles (SUVs), warning that their design and increasing prevalence pose a growing public health and safety crisis that demands urgent regulatory intervention.
The high-riding vehicles are linked to a significantly elevated risk of death for pedestrians and cyclists in collisions, while also contributing to worsening air quality and climate goals, according to an analysis published in The BMJ.
Specialists from the Imperial College London’s School of Public Health are advocating for comprehensive measures, including stricter design regulations, differentiated taxation, and tailored parking fees to mitigate the harm caused by these large vehicles.
SUVs now account for roughly half of all new car sales worldwide, a dramatic increase from their previous niche status.
In the United Kingdom alone, registrations of SUVs soared from just 12% of new vehicles in 2010 to 63% by 2024.
Their elevated chassis, increased width, height, and weight compared to traditional cars are exacerbating risks for vulnerable road users. A recent study cited in the analysis found that adults struck by an SUV or similarly sized vehicle face a 44% higher probability of death.
For children, the risk is even more pronounced, with an 82% higher likelihood of fatality in an SUV collision compared to one involving a conventional car.
The design of SUVs, particularly their high hoods and reduced driver visibility, makes it difficult to perceive pedestrians. Drivers of some large SUV models may not even be able to see a four-year-old child standing directly in front of their vehicle.
The average hood height of new cars in Europe rose from 77 centimeters (30.3 inches) in 2010 to 84 centimeters (33.1 inches) in 2024, with vehicle width also increasing during this period.
Beyond direct collision risks, SUVs also consume more raw materials and emit greater amounts of carbon. Their increased weight and tire wear generate more fine particulate matter, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and circulatory system, heightening the risk of chronic diseases and premature death.
To reverse these trends, the authors propose higher parking tariffs for large vehicles in urban centers and tax incentives to encourage the purchase of more compact cars.
They also suggest mandatory vehicle dimensions on registration certificates to raise public awareness. Additionally, independent car safety programs should implement a “child visibility test” to pressure manufacturers into lowering hood heights.
Regulators are urged to impose limits on the width and height of new car models.