Britons have backed introducing tougher rules and tax burdens for popular vehicles in a bid to improve road safety across the UK.
A new report found that one-third of Britons view SUVs as being more dangerous to pedestrians than smaller vehicles, requiring urgent action.
The research revealed that one in five Britons think SUVs should be banned from areas with high footfall, such as city centres and nearby schools.
In more drastic measures, 32 per cent supported increasing Vehicle Excise Duty for SUVs due to them causing greater wear and tear on the roads and higher levels of emissions.
IAM RoadSmart Policy and Standards Director Nicholas Lyes said: "Huge cars were once associated with the USA, but car spreading is alive and well in the UK.
"Many drivers will have noticed that fitting a car into a space has become tighter compared to 20 years ago, and may also hold their breath if they see a large oncoming SUV on a narrow country road."
The expert warned that despite the fact these cars are growing, both in size and popularity, "our roads and parking spaces are not significantly wider and something needs to give".
"Arguably, it is not the vehicle most at play, but the driver who should be in control and have a greater spatial understanding of their vehicle," Mr Lyes added.
The reports showed growing interest in charging larger vehicles more for parking due to safety risks for Britons
| GETTY/SUV ALLIANCEWhile there has been no official ban on larger vehicles issued by councils, some have started to introduce increased parking fees, with Cardiff Council approving an additional charge for residential parking permits for vehicles weighing over 2.4 tonnes.
The move aims to cut congestion and pollution, and encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport when travelling in and around the city.
Outside of the UK, Paris introduced triple parking charges for heavier cars after the mayor argued that SUVs were dangerous and bad for the environment.
Research by Imperial College London found that in the case of a crash, a pedestrian hit by an SUV was more likely to be severely injured or killed than if they were hit by a smaller car.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Paris voted to increase parking charges for SUVs in 2024
| REUTERSThe report also recorded that the odds of being killed by an SUV rise by 44 per cent for adults, and by 82 per cent for children and cyclists.
Oliver Lord, UK Head of Clean Cities, said: "This boom in US-style pick-up trucks is lifestyle over practicality in exchange for parking mayhem and dangerous roads.
"City leaders must act to discourage these menacing vehicles from our streets. How is it acceptable to have a vehicle so tall that children cannot be seen?"
Despite the risks, sales of SUVs have been growing across the UK, with figures showing that in 2023, the larger cars made up 48 per cent of new car sales globally, up from 15 per cent in 2010.
The report suggested that SUVs should pay higher parking charges and car taxes
| PAMr Lyes added: "However, with demand for bigger cars showing no sign of abating, we believe improvements to vehicle design, such as mandating bumpers and hoods from materials that reduce injury severity, and pedestrian automatic emergency braking.
"External airbags should also be explored to mitigate against the size and weight of the vehicle. While cities may opt for charges or hiking parking fees to discourage use, our view is that safer vehicle design and enhanced driver education can make the biggest difference."
SUVs are significantly taller and heavier than standard vehicles, with bonnet heights frequently exceeding one metre, making younger children in particular almost invisible from the driving seat.