Calls grow to address safety risks of large vehicles in urban areas

Concerns over the safety impact of increasingly large vehicles on European roads have been reignited following a warning from Euro NCAP and the publication of new research by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London. The research highlights mounting dangers posed by SUVs and other large passenger vehicles, particularly to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

In a press release marking the publication of its latest round of safety ratings, Euro NCAP acknowledged that the growing size and weight of vehicles is a growing concern. 

A new peer-reviewed study by LSHTM and Imperial College researchers found that pedestrians hit by SUVs are significantly more likely to be killed or suffer serious injuries than those struck by smaller cars. The heightened risk is due in part to their mass and front-end design, which results in higher impact forces.

ETSC welcomes Euro NCAP’s commitment to address the risks posed by larger vehicles and supports calls for regulators to consider vehicle size and weight in policy design. The findings reinforce the need for urgent action to ensure that road safety strategies reflect the realities of modern vehicle fleets and prioritise the protection of those most exposed.