Cardiff could become the first city in the UK to tackle so-called "carspreading" by imposing higher parking charges on larger cars and SUVs.
Councillors in the Welsh capital will vote later today on plans that would introduce "fairer parking charges" for the heaviest cars on the market.
The proposals have been backed by campaigners and charities who say tackling the scourge of larger vehicles parking would improve road safety.
Cardiff City Council's new Parking Plan states that large and heavy vehicles "take up more parking space and are a danger to other road users".
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It adds that a surcharge for vehicles over 2,400kg is recommended, which would help push more drivers towards smaller vehicles.
The report states that this will be reduced to 2,000kg for non-electric vehicles, while larger vehicles over 3.5 tonnes would not be entitled to permits.
The proposals have been supported by a local mother, whose teenage son was hit by a car outside their home last year.
Helen Edwards said she welcomed the council's parking plans, noting that families have to live with the consequences of "our streets being dominated by ever-larger vehicles".
The council is expected to vote on the SUV parking rules later today
|CRISPIN HUGHES
The mother added: "This isn't about punishing drivers - it's about protecting children, pedestrians and our communities.
"If this change helps even one family avoid what we went through, it will be worth it."
Mrs Edwards added that it was every parent's "worst nightmare" to see their child lying in the road after being hit by a vehicle.
Recounting when her son was hit by the car, she was questioned by the doctor about the size of the vehicle, saying she felt "completely helpless".
Helen Edwards' son was hit by a car outside her home last year
|MATTHEW HORWOOD
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Data shows that children are three times more likely to be killed when hit by an SUV compared to a regular car
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Hundreds of residents across Cardiff also signed a petition calling for fairer parking charges for SUV owners to "reduce congestion and road danger".
Research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that children are three times more likely to be killed when hit by an SUV compared to a regular car.
The proposals have been backed by The SUV Alliance, which is made up of 19 environmental and transport groups. Support has grown as SUV sales become more common, with 62 per cent of all new cars sold in the UK being SUVs.
Oliver Lord, UK Head of Clean Cities, one of the founding members of The SUV Alliance, noted Cardiff was showing "real vision" by tackling the trend of "carspreading".
The new parking proposals are being backed by The SUV Alliance
|MATTHEW HORWOOD
He said: "It's only fair that those driving the biggest, heaviest and most polluting vehicles pay more for the extra space and danger they bring.
"This is a common-sense policy that will make our city streets safer, cleaner and fairer for everyone. Other cities across the UK could learn from Cardiff’s leadership."
The French capital of Paris has already introduced sweeping parking and road changes for SUVs, with the aim of deterring motorists from investing in larger vehicles.
Heavier and larger SUV-type vehicles are now required to pay three times more for parking and permits. Data from Parisian authorities shows that the city has already reduced the number of SUVs using surface parking by two-thirds.