Clean Cities Campaign (CCC) group in UK wants to stop "carspreading". It says: "Carspreading is when cars get too wide for urban spaces, causing congestion, increased risk of accidents, and more fuel consumption." CCC is targeting large cars like SUVs - sport utility vehicles - which are increasing in number. The Sky News website says there are 10 times more large cars in UK now than 20 years ago. CCC wants higher parking fees for SUVs. It wrote: "Bigger cars take up lot more space, but the cost of parking has stayed same." The group wants to follow Paris, which tripled parking costs for SUVs, from €6 ($7) to €18 ($21) hour. This has reduced number of SUVs in Paris.
CCC explained why it wants SUV drivers to pay more for parking, saying: "Drivers are struggling to park because of 'carspreading', while people walking and cycling are more at risk." CCC said: "More than half of new cars in UK are too wide for urban parking spaces, leaving our cities crowded and congested. As cars get bigger, so do risks. People hit by larger cars when walking or cycling are far less likely to survive." It added: "SUVs burn around 20 per cent more fuel...and require more...battery minerals. Not everyone agrees with CCC. The Alliance of British Drivers said it was unfair "to make life more expensive and unpleasant for people" who drive SUVs.
