SUVs are making Britain’s potholes worse, say scientists

• 01SUVs comprised more than half of the 2 million new cars sold in the UK last year
• 02Recent polling by Opinium for Kwikfit found that 6% of drivers nationwide said they were influenced to buy an SUV primarily because of road conditions; this proportion doubled among drivers who had suffered vehicle damage
• 03In parts of the country including London and Yorkshire, almost one in eight drivers had chosen to buy an SUV or heavier car partly due to concerns about road conditions
• 04Dr Ali Rahman, assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of Leeds, stated that higher axle loads from SUVs increase surface stresses, crack initiation, and road wear
• 05Prof Anna Goodman of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the typical SUV exerts around five times more force on the road than a typical passenger car, and SUVs in England increased from 3% of cars on the road to over 30% in the past 20 years
• 06Prof Christian Brand, emeritus professor in transport at Kellogg College Oxford, said SUVs are typically 200-300kg heavier than hatchback or sedan cars
• 07The Institution of Civil Engineers stated that heavier vehicles, including electric cars, are a factor in pothole formation and reducing road lifespan
• 08The Asphalt Industry Alliance estimated the cost of fixing all potholes and local roads across England and Wales has reached £18.6bn annually
• 09Transport for London is conducting studies on the effects of large SUVs on safety and congestion prior to announcing possible measures, including potential extra charges on large SUVs

These words or phrases carry political, emotional, or ideological loading in the original article. Use Link Launderer to see them highlighted in context.

Research and polling data indicate that increasing numbers of drivers are purchasing heavier vehicles such as SUVs partly in response to poor road conditions, with 6% of drivers nationwide and up to one in eight in certain regions citing road damage as a factor in their vehicle choice. Engineers have linked the growth in heavier vehicles to accelerated pothole formation and reduced road lifespan, with experts noting that SUVs exert significantly more force on road surfaces than standard passenger cars. Transport for London is studying the impact of large SUVs on road conditions and safety, with potential policy responses under consideration.