Safety groups calls for restriction on SUVs around towns and cities

European Transport Safety Council says that larger vehicles should be banned in order to protect pedestrians.

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The European Transport Safety Council has urged local authorities to consider a restriction on SUVs around town and city centres in order to protect cyclists and pedestrians.

The Brussels-based thinktank has highlighted that at least 51,300 pedestrians and 19,450 cyclists were killed on EU roads between 2010 and 2018, with fatal accidents involving cyclists falling eight times more slowly than vehicle occupant fatalities.

A report issued by the ETSC says that cities ‘could also consider introducing access restrictions for cars considered to present a high risk to pedestrians and cyclists,’ adding that ‘the risk of severe injury or death for a pedestrian is higher in collisions with Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and vans compared to passenger cars’. The group states that SUVs’ higher bumpers and heavier weight have a great influence in severe collisions.