Cars have been getting bigger and bigger, and SUVs and utes have become Australia’s new family car. The shift to these larger vehicles has happened gradually, despite evidence of their negative impact on road safety. Studies have shown that their heights and weights can cause more severe damage in accidents, particularly to pedestrians, and they can affect a driver’s psyche, potentially encouraging speeding and dangerous driving. Road fatalities in Australia have been increasing, with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorbike riders being the most affected. Experts believe the rise of bigger vehicles is a factor in this increase, as they are more dangerous in collisions. Other social costs of this trend include added cost-of-living pressure, increased fuel consumption, and issues with parking space and traffic. Solutions proposed include higher safety standards, stricter driver’s licensing for larger vehicles, and adjusting parking policies to discourage the use of SUVs.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/17/the-cars-eating-australia-should-we-be-trying-to-reverse-our-attraction-to-suvs-and-utes