Letters | SUVs are a road hazard, electric or not

Readers discuss the safety of sport-utility vehicles, international football matches in Hong Kong, and one way to begin to resolve the comfort women issue

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SUVs, usually targeted at those keen to live the weekend dream of an off-road, outdoor lifestyle, simply do not seem suitable in a congested urban environment like Hong Kong. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 11:30am, 12 Aug 2023

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I refer to “Nissan Motors to roll out new EV models in Hong Kong as sales slow in mainland China” (August 3).

This plan to launch electric sport-utility vehicles in Hong Kong to “stay on top of the competition” is disheartening. SUVs, usually targeted at those keen to live the weekend dream of an off-road, outdoor lifestyle, simply do not seem suitable in a densely built-up and congested environment.

Road-hogging SUVs are not just more power-hungry than smaller cars, studies also show they pose a greater danger on the roads. I have regularly observed SUV drivers exhibiting “big vehicle” selfishness – unwilling to slow down in busy traffic and yielding to the temptation to speed by deploying their turbocharged engines.

I was once harangued by an SUV driver while crossing a school road with the green light just starting its countdown. The woman stridently tooted her horn, nudged her car towards me threateningly and took both hands off the wheel to enable middle-finger salutes.

Even the best SUV drivers could be hindered by the high sight lines. When you cannot see the toddler behind you while backing out of the driveway, tragedy is imminent. SUVs’ elevated headlights could also blind oncoming drivers. And with their large bodies, SUVs can’t easily swerve to avoid clipping cyclists. They often roar past me in the bike lane with only a hair’s breadth of separation.