More than a third of UK motorists believe there are too many SUVs on the road, according to the latest Startline Used Car Tracker.
The research, conducted in July and based on the views of 300 consumers, shows that 37% of respondents feel the growing number of SUVs is contributing to road safety issues, particularly in light of recent findings highlighting their higher risk to pedestrians.
A further 35% believe that new regulations should be introduced to enforce safer SUV designs. Meanwhile, 21% support higher taxation for SUVs due to their perceived safety risks and 19% think they should be restricted in areas with high pedestrian traffic.
Concerns about SUV driver behaviour were also raised, with 10% of those surveyed saying these vehicles are driven more carelessly than other types.
However, opinions are divided.
Around 32% of respondents said drivers should be free to choose what they drive, including SUVs, without restrictions.
The survey follows recent academic research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London, which found that the likelihood of death is 44% higher for adults and 82% higher for children if they are struck by an SUV rather than a standard car.
Paul Burgess, Startline Motor Finance chief executive (pictured), said: “SUVs have become the usual choice for most drivers in the UK who tend to like their higher seating position, adaptability for family life, and their go-anywhere image.
“However, our research shows there is a significant minority of people who are concerned about the increased safety risks that they bring, especially when it comes to pedestrians surviving impacts.
“It would probably be premature to say that there is a backlash against SUVs but there’s clearly a high degree of unease about how common they have become on our roads.”