The Guardian
·Jul 2026
Britain’s cars and SUVs are growing bigger – but there is a way to stop this deadly ‘carspreading’
Large cars and SUVs are rapidly increasing in size across the UK, reducing parking capacity and posing growing dangers to pedestrians, especially children. Their expansion is driven by aggressive marketing and higher profitability for manufacturers. Research shows that increased bonnet heights and heavier vehicles significantly raise fatality risks. Current national government responses are minimal, leaving local authorities to take the lead, with London exploring levies and higher parking charges. European cities such as Paris provide policy models, including weight-based parking fees and higher taxes on large vehicles. Campaigns against past vehicle dangers demonstrate that change is possible, and rising fatalities may ultimately force a broader shift away from oversized cars.