A no-SUV zone in cities. Mobility expert Eva Van Eenoo argues for this Knack. “They are too big and too heavy and therefore very dangerous.” The proposal has provoked a lot of reactions.
–
Sales of SUVs and so-called crossovers are on the rise. 48 percent of new cars sold are such an elevated model. “Everyone who is concerned with road safety and sustainable mobility sees the rise of SUVs with dismay,” says mobility expert Eva Van Eenoo (VUB) to Knack. According to her, the cars are much too high, so that drivers feel safe, but they are much less likely to notice children playing, for example. The risk of accidents is therefore greater. And if it then comes to an accident, the consequences are also greater. “Those cars are much heavier: the chance that an accident will end badly is also greater – that’s pure physics.” According to Van Eenoo, pedestrians would also feel less safe next to the large cars, especially in small streets in the city.
So, a no-SUV zone. “I think consumers should think about the impact of their purchasing behavior on their environment. It is time for collective action. By giving local authorities the option to ban SUVs from city centers or residential areas, we can keep it livable.”
But the mobility organization VAB does not like the introduction of such zones. “VAB understands the call to improve road safety,” it sounds. The mobility club points out that many cities and municipalities have already banned heavy transport and have detours. “We also want to approach the cities and municipalities with proposals to increase road safety,” said spokesman Joni Junes. But refusing specific categories of passenger cars in certain places is not the solution, according to the mobility organization.
Not a bad idea, but…
The Flemish Traffic Science Foundation (VSV) does not think the idea is bad, since SUVs are vehicles with a greater mass, which means that the impact is greater if it comes to a collision.
However, because there is no legal provision about what an SUV is, that idea is difficult to put into practice, the VSV says. Spokesperson Werner De Dobbeleer points out that there are few distinguishing features for an SUV. Four-wheel drive does not cover the charge, because there are also SUVs without that four-wheel drive. Another feature could be the height of the front of the car, but there are different models of SUVs, from smaller models to monster SUVs. SUVs as commercial vehicles could be banned, but then SUVs that are used as passenger cars will be left out.
In addition, according to the VSV, there should be a ban on light trucks in those SUV-free zones, since those vehicles are also very “collision-unfriendly”.
– .
