Britain's cars and SUVs are expanding at an alarming rate, a phenomenon dubbed 'carspreading' that poses a significant threat to pedestrians, particularly children. According to transport commentator Christian Wolmar, vehicles in Europe are growing, on average, a centimetre wider every year, and fewer than half of new cars in the UK can fit into a standard parking space.
SUV Proliferation and Safety Risks
SUVs now account for 30% of cars in England's cities, up from just 3% two decades ago. This surge is driven by aggressive marketing, as larger vehicles are more profitable for manufacturers. However, the safety benefits touted for SUV occupants come at a cost to others. Research by Clean Cities indicates that a 10cm increase in bonnet height, from 80cm to 90cm, results in a 27% greater chance of death for pedestrians struck. For children, the risk of death is three times higher when hit by an SUV compared to a conventional car.
Impact on Parking and Urban Space
The trend is also reducing parking capacity. In Hove, the Norton Road car park had to cut spaces from 290 to 180 to accommodate larger vehicles. Despite these issues, there are no width restrictions for cars until they reach the size of HGVs (2.55m wide).
Historical Precedent for Change
Wolmar draws parallels to successful campaigns against bull bars and leaded petrol, suggesting that carspreading can be reversed. He notes that bull bars were banned after being linked to child deaths, and leaded petrol was phased out through advocacy. More recently, London's congestion charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) have reduced vehicle use.
Government Response and Local Initiatives
The UK government's national road safety strategy, published in January, acknowledged the extra risk from SUVs but proposed only discussions with the industry. Similarly, action on pavement parking has been cautious. In contrast, local leaders are taking steps. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to explore new levies and extra parking charges for large vehicles, and Paris has introduced weight-based parking surcharges.
Tax Disparities and Proposed Measures
Oliver Lord, strategy director of Clean Cities, states: "The UK is a tax haven for these vehicles." Research by Transport and Environment Network shows that buyers in the UK pay up to 20 times less for the biggest models than in other European countries. For example, a BMW X5 incurs a tax of £66,000 in France compared to just £3,200 in the UK. Wolmar suggests restricting advertising of dangerous vehicles, similar to tobacco, as a quick measure to curb demand.
Conclusion
Wolmar argues that as more people are killed by these cars and roads become increasingly crowded, a backlash is inevitable. He urges proactive measures to prevent further damage, emphasizing that urban environments are ill-suited to accommodate ever-larger vehicles.
