Overview

• A meta-analysis of over 680,000 collisions spanning 35 years highlights the elevated risks posed by SUVs compared to standard cars.
• SUVs' taller, blunter front ends strike pedestrians higher on the body, increasing injury severity and fatality likelihood.
• Replacing SUVs with standard cars could reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities by 8% in Europe and 17% in the U.S., researchers estimate.
• SUVs accounted for 48% of global new car sales in 2023, up from 15% in 2010, reflecting their growing prevalence on roads.
• Advocacy groups are urging governments to invest in active travel infrastructure and implement restrictions on large vehicles in urban areas.