The majority of cars sold in Europe (almost 60%) are already SUV or SUV or SUV, high vehicles similar to SUVs but more sporty style. of Transport & Environment (), the main group of NGOs that work in transport and environment in Europe, this is raising half a centimeter a year the average height of cars ,: high morros generate more blind points for drivers – especially when seeing children – and increase the probability of damage to people in case of abuse. Previous reports also talk that these larger vehicles generate more emissions. The Employers Anfac rejects that these larger vehicles are more dangerous and defends that the T&E report does not consider the evolution of design and technological improvements. “
The researchers have consulted the technical specifications of the vehicles sold throughout Europe (European Union, the United Kingdom and Norway) from 2010 to 2024 and has found that, in these 14 years, the average height of the morro of the vehicles has passed from 76.9 centimeters to 83.8. However, there are very selling SUVs with much higher morros, as Jeep models of 123 centimeters, of Land Rover of 115 or Jaguar of 105.
That height can be a problem in case of outrage. “The report shows that increasing 10 centimeters the height of the hood (from 80 to 90 centimeters) assumes that the probability of death for pedestrians and cyclists rises 27% in case of outrage,” says Carme Duce, spokesman in Spain of the Clean Cities campaign, which has also participated in the investigation. “We have worked with a Belgian Institute specialized in road safety, and with the program to show different scenarios, because it is not the same as the blow occurs in the legs as in the head, where the probability that the damage is more serious and even mortal is higher,” he continues.
According to the data they have obtained in their simulations, in accidents of up to 50 kilometers per hour, low cars usually hit pedestrians on the legs and divert them laterally. However, the SUVs with the highest nose hit above and can push the walkers under the vehicle, which multiplies the probability of suffering from mortal wounds.
When these vehicles are driven through narrow streets in the center of the cities, they generate more blind points. From the large vehicle driver seat you cannot see a girl or boy up to nine years (of an average height of 1.36 meters) that is just in front of the car. SUV most common models such as the Land Rover Defender do not allow children under up to four and a half years (1.1 meters) either. “Above 85 centimeters it is impossible to see a small child who is placed in front of the car, and that generates a very high sense of insecurity in the cities,” says Duce. In addition, these types of cars can generate between 20% and 50% more risk of serious lesions for occupants of smaller vehicles in case of collision.
Limit height by law
As neither the European nor the Spanish regulations have taken measures to stop this trend, T & E and Clean Cities ask the EU and the United Kingdom to limit the maximum height of the hood of the new cars from 2035 – when the prohibition of selling combustion vehicles will also enter into force. Its proposal is to limit the height to 85 centimeters, a measure with which they ensure that 95% of adults involved in traffic accidents would be protected. “An impact below the center of gravity increases survival rates,” they say.
ANFAC, the association that brings together car manufacturers in Spain, completely rejects the conclusions of the report. According to affects, since July 2024, all new vehicles must meet security standards that include collision tests and pedestrian protection tests, improvements in frontal impact absorption areas, active pedestrian and cyclist detection systems, or front protection to mitigate injuries. “We do not see that there is a correlation between road safety, the protection of vulnerable users and larger cars segments,” says the employer.
“On the contrary, the automobile industry has always been committed to safety, technology and zero vision objective [que busca evitar todas las muertes y lesiones graves por siniestros de tráfico]even fulfilling the regulatory framework, incorporating systems and solutions to mitigate the effects of a collision. Additionally, the regulatory framework of European approval is one of the most demanding, if not the most demanding, worldwide, in security matters, ”continues ANFAC.
These arguments do not convince Duce, which ensures that these larger vehicles not only have more security problems, but also environmental. “As they are heavier, the friction of the tires generates more particles, an air pollutant we breathe. And they need more energy to move, either fossil fuels, either electric. At a time in the middle of the climatic crisis it is quite absurd to use such huge vehicles to move one or two people.” From the International Energy Agency it shows that these vehicles then consumed 25% more energy than a utility.
The environmentalist also criticizes that these vehicles: “This is a problem that is seen in any public parking lot, in the undergrounds that were made two or three decades no longer fit these cars, occupy a place and a half. And in narrow streets they do not fit in the space reserved for the parking lot, so that the sidewalks and the road invade.” That’s why, .
