Are SUVs Too Big for Car Bays?

Have you noticed more vehicles protruding beyond their parking bays at shopping centres and elsewhere in recent times? They are usually sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Standards Australia has revised AS/NZS 2890.1 entitled Parking Facilities: Off-Street Parking. Among other things, it recommends an increase in the length of off-street parking spaces from 5.4m to 5.6m.  However we think this increase is not enough.

 Whilst not specifically stated in the standard, it is believed the trend for buying more and bigger SUVs has prompted this change.

Heavy SUVs Increase Crash Severity

The European crash-test body, Euro NCAP, has warned that the growing weight of vehicles, including SUVs and electric cars, is increasing the severity of crashes.

The main safety concern arises when heavy vehicles collide with other more vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and smaller light cars.

Of 11 new cars recently assessed by Euro NCAP, only three weigh less than two tonnes. Not long ago most cars weighed closer to one tonne.