Scientists call for a BAN on Chelsea tractors in Britain - as figures show supersized cars are 44% more likely to be involved in fatal collisions

Scientists have called for a ban on SUVs in Britain, as figures show the supersized cars are more likely to be involved in fatal collisions. 

From Land Rover Defenders to Tesla Model Ys, these large cars – often referred to as Chelsea tractors – are safer for their occupants.

However, they're significantly more dangerous to pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other cars on the road. 

In a new report, the team, led by Dr Anthony Laverty from Imperial College London,
point to a recent review which found that SUVs are 44 per cent more likely to be involved in fatal collisions involving adult pedestrians or cyclists.

Concerningly, this figure shoots up to 82 per cent for fatal collisions involving children. 

Writing in the BMJ's climate issue, the experts explained: 'The taller, squarer bonnets of SUVs cause more serious injuries.'

The report comes just two years after a deadly crash at a school in Wimbledon, south–west London. 

Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both just eight–years–old, died after a £80,000 Land Rover ploughed into an end of term picnic at the Study Preparatory School.

SUVs (sports utility vehicles) were once reserved for offroading, but are now some of the most common cars on UK roads. 

In fact, large cars made up 63 per cent of new sales in 2024, compared with just 12 per cent in 2010. 

The researchers have dubbed this shift towards larger cars 'carspreading', and warn that it comes with potential harms to health.

'When an adult pedestrian is hit by a car, often they are struck close to the knees before being carried on to the car bonnet,' the team explained. 

'If hit by an SUV, the pedestrian is more likely to be struck on the pelvis and then flung forward into the road, increasing the chance that the SUV rolls over them. 

'For children, the point of impact may be their head.'

While research has shown that larger bonnets increase the risk of fatal collisions, manufacturers continue to make their cars bigger every year. 

'Thus, those who walk or cycle—or want to do so—face each year a cohort of new cars that have a more dangerous shape,' the researchers said. 

Beyond the risks to our health, SUVs also have potential harms for the environment. 

Research has shown that SUV versions of regular–sized petrol cars emit more carbon, while bigger cars also use more raw materials in production – pushing up CO2 emissions.

What's more, SUVs produce more air pollution than smaller vehicles. 

'The fine particles of this pollution can enter lungs and the circulatory system, and may be important contributors to chronic illnesses and premature mortality,' the researchers added. 

Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for urgent action to curb sales of new SUVs and to reduce their presence in cities. 

As for how this could be done, they suggest a range of measures. 

Cities could charge large vehicles higher parking fees, they suggest – something that has already been done in the French cities of Bordeaux, Grenoble, and Lyon. 

Reforms to vehicle tax could also create stronger incentives for smaller cars. 

'A BMW X5 has an acquisition tax of £3200 in the UK versus £66,000 in France, and it is therefore unsurprising that sales of the largest SUVs are four times higher in the UK than in France,' the researchers said. 

Other options suggested by the experts include mandating vehicle dimensions on registration certificates, or introducing a 'child visibility test' to encourage lower bonnet heights.

This isn't the first time the safety of using 4x4s in urban areas has been questioned. 

The issue was previously raised in 2023, following the deadly crash in Wimbledon, which killed eight-year-olds Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau.

Speaking to the Daily Mail at the time, former Lib Dem transport minister Norman Baker, argued SUVs should face higher taxes to drive them off the road.

'While they are useful for farmers, they are completely inappropriate for urban locations, and clearly more dangerous and have a bigger impact if a collision occurs,' he said. 

'The taxation system should be changed to reflect that they are antisocial vehicles. 

'We need to increase tax on them and make it social unacceptable to drive them in cities.'

Meanwhile, John Scruby, a road safety campaigner and former policeman, suggested drivers of 4x4s could face extra tests before being allowed on the roads. 

He told the Daily Mail: 'People in outlying areas need these vehicles, but I'm not sure that parents on the school run do. 

'Drivers need to be aware that they're in a four–ton killing machine and they need to be used accordingly. 

'As police officers we needed to take a separate course to drive a heavy vehicle. That's something we could look at with 4x4 drivers more generally.'