Car Sizes Surge: Families Choose Bigger Vehicles Amid Safety Concerns

UPDATE: A significant shift in the car market is reshaping how families navigate urban spaces in Dublin, as the average family vehicle morphs into larger SUVs. This trend raises urgent concerns about parking challenges and road safety.

Many drivers are feeling the squeeze in tight spaces like St. Stephen’s Green and Jervis Street, where maneuvering larger vehicles has become increasingly difficult. Despite advancements in parking technology, the truth is that cars have grown significantly in size, with the average family car in Ireland now being a crossover SUV like the Hyundai Tucson, measuring over 4.5 meters long and weighing between 1.6 and 1.75 tonnes.

This change is not just a matter of preference; it reflects evolving safety standards. Modern vehicles are engineered to withstand collisions better than their older counterparts, which lacked essential safety features like airbags and crumple zones. For instance, road fatalities in Ireland have dramatically decreased from 410 deaths in 1985 to just 165 deaths in 2015, demonstrating the impact of improved vehicle safety.

However, the push for larger cars isn’t solely about safety. The emotional appeal of a higher driving position and sturdier design has led to a rise in sales of SUVs and crossovers. Recent figures show that small and medium SUVs now account for over 56% of new car sales, with popular models dominating searches on platforms like DoneDeal Cars.

While this evolution in car size may feel gradual, the consequences are palpable. Urban infrastructures, built for smaller vehicles decades ago, struggle to accommodate today’s bulkier cars. Parking spaces in Dublin’s multi-storey car parks, often designed for cars measuring around 1.65 meters wide, now face the reality of vehicles like the Tucson, which measures 1.86 meters across.

Further complicating matters is the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). While they promise reduced emissions, many new EV models weigh over 2 tonnes, raising concerns about energy consumption and road dynamics. As cars grow larger, they require bigger batteries, increasing both weight and energy needs.

The Department of Finance’s Tax Strategy Group is taking note of this trend, suggesting potential weight-based vehicle taxes to address declining Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) revenues. This could mean that heavier vehicles might soon incur additional costs, impacting family budgets.

Despite the growing trend towards SUVs, experts urge consumers to consider smaller, efficient vehicles. New models like the BYD Dolphin Surf, Hyundai Inster, and Citroen eC3 are available, offering safety and comfort without the excessive size.

In conclusion, while families are understandably choosing vehicles that meet their needs for safety and comfort, the infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. As car sizes continue to rise, the challenge of navigating urban spaces will only grow more pressing. The question remains: what adjustments will be necessary to accommodate this automotive evolution?

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the implications for urban driving and safety continue to unfold.