health
SUV buyers undeterred by warnings of risk to pedestrians, UK study finds
Exclusive: Research suggests financial penalties necessary if number of large vehicles on roads is to be reduced
TL;DR
- Drivers informed about the safety risks of SUVs to pedestrians and cyclists are unlikely to be deterred from purchasing one.
- A study involving over 2,000 UK participants showed that warnings about increased fatality risk did not significantly impact buying intentions.
- Even among those who stated road user safety was an important factor, the majority still planned to buy an SUV.
- Researchers suggest financial penalties may be necessary for governments to reduce the number of large vehicles on roads.
- SUVs and oversized domestic vehicles are inherently more dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists due to their higher and blunter fronts.
- A meta-study found adults struck by SUVs were 44% more likely to be killed than if hit by a smaller car, with this risk rising to 82% for children.
- Some cities, like Paris, have implemented measures such as tripling parking charges for SUVs, and Transport for London is considering extra charges.