DRIVERS of SUVs in England may soon face more stringent parking rules under a law inspired by the European Union.
Earlier this year, reports revealed that SUVs have become the most popular type of car in the UK – with sales data showing they accounted for a third of all new car registrations.
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Given their growing presence on UK roads, many believe stricter regulations are needed to address their impact on safety, air pollution and public space.
According to Birmingham Live, experts and campaigners are calling for measures similar to those introduced in European cities, such as Paris, where parking costs for SUVs have been significantly increased to discourage their use and reduce pollution.
An hour of parking for SUVs in the Paris city centre now costs €18 instead of the usual €6, whilst in the outskirts the cost is €12 instead of €4.
For six hours, SUVs will be charged a whopping €225 – around £195 – instead of the previous €75.
French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the new parking rates for larger vehicles in Paris had reduced the number of SUVs using surface parking by two-thirds.
The French cities of Lyon and Grenoble have similar rules, as does Tubingen in Germany.
Dr Anna Goodman, an academic transport researcher and director of Transport for Quality of Life, said: “SUVs increasingly dominate our streets. In just two decades, the share of SUVs in English cities has grown tenfold.
“In London alone, the number of SUVs has swelled by around 720,000. This has important implications for congestion, public space, and road safety.
“The evidence is clear that SUVs increase road danger for people walking and cycling, particularly for children.”
Oliver Lord, UK Head of Clean Cities, added: “The sheer scale of car-spreading is staggering.
“These oversized vehicles are not just swallowing our public space; they’re also far more dangerous, especially for children.
“If we want cities that are safe, breathable, and accessible, we have to get serious about tackling the rise of these urban land-hogs.”
SUVs are often criticised for their size, higher fronts and reduced visibility from the driver’s seat, making them more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.
They are also blamed for contributing to air pollution and climate breakdown due to their heavier, more polluting nature.
The UK’s current best-selling cars, the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai are all classed as crossover SUVs.
But even bigger are the likes of the Range Rover, Skoda Kodiaq and BMW X5.
Barbara Stoll, senior director of T&E’s Clean Cities campaign, added: “A child is killed every day on our roads, yet cars are being made so large that children are invisible from the driver’s seat. How is that acceptable?”
“Thankfully, more and more city leaders are pushing back against car-spreading, standing up for what citizens actually want: safe, green streets without monster vehicles.”