Australia’s roads are full of giant cars, and everyone pays the price. What can be done?

Australia faces a growing road safety crisis as SUVs and utes now account for four in five new vehicle sales, more than double the share from 20 years ago. Research shows occupants of smaller cars face a 30% higher risk of death or serious injury in collisions with large SUVs, while pedestrians hit by SUVs are 40–45% more likely to die than those struck by smaller cars. Children face up to eight times greater fatality risk when hit by SUVs. Data from the US shows pedestrian deaths have reached their highest level since the early 1980s, contrasting with declining trends in most countries. Studies from India, Israel, Austria, New Zealand, and Germany indicate drivers of larger vehicles are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as speeding, phone use, and running red lights. Experts suggest implementing licence testing by vehicle class and scaling penalties to vehicle mass to address the disproportionate risks posed by larger vehicles.