matticus
Guru
Is it not the main basis for most of our vehicle type laws? They've been working OK - imperfect as they may be - for decades.
UK SUV Petition
- Thread starter sheddy
- Start date
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Is it not the main basis for most of our vehicle type laws? They've been working OK - imperfect as they may be - for decades.
Jody
Stubborn git
Only to establish PCV, LCV and HGV or load bearing capacities of said commercials
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
For laws determining what you can drive, and to an extent what the speed limits are, yes, that is the main basis.
It hasn't previously been used to determine where you can drive, nor has it been applied to non-commercial vehicles at all, apart from the weight of trailer you can tow.
It depends to an extent on what it is you are trying to affect with any law restricting them. If it is mainly about pedestrian (and cyclist) safety, then frontal area and shape is IMO far more important then weight.
If you are also looking at reducing pollution and road wear and tear, then weight comes much more into the equation.
While I think such a law would be a good idea, I can see a lot of difficulties with framing it, and deciding what exceptions there would be. But the fact I can see difficulties is not a good reason to avoid attempting it.
BoldonLad
Not part of the Elite
- Location
- South Tyneside
It would appear the some people may already be at risk of breaching the weight limit on their driving licence. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money...bulkiest-cars-heavy-drivers-breaking-law.html
Supposedly, the "average" weight of a car in UK, is 1600kg, whilst the heaviest cars are said to be:
Mercedes EQS SUV 2810kg
Mercedes-Maybach GLS 2785kg
Range Rover PHEV LWB 2770kg
Volvo EX90 Performance Ultra 2743kg
BMW XM Red Label 2710kg ........................... I thought this a popular beer in the 60s/70s?
Mercedes AMG EQS 53 2700kg
Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge 2660kg
None of the above models are frequently seen in Jarrow, and, which all make me feel quite smug about my car's 1130kg weight
Jody
Stubborn git
To think most, if not all of these are significantly faster than the hottest of yester years hatchbacks
Not checked the others but the XM red label and EQS 53 do 60 in under 4 seconds
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Jameshow
Veteran
It would appear the some people may already be at risk of breaching the weight limit on their driving licence. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money...bulkiest-cars-heavy-drivers-breaking-law.html
Supposedly, the "average" weight of a car in UK, is 1600kg, whilst the heaviest cars are said to be:
Mercedes EQS SUV 2810kg
Mercedes-Maybach GLS 2785kg
Range Rover PHEV LWB 2770kg
Volvo EX90 Performance Ultra 2743kg
BMW XM Red Label 2710kg ........................... I thought this a popular beer in the 60s/70s?
Mercedes AMG EQS 53 2700kg
Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge 2660kg
None of the above models are frequently seen in Jarrow, and, which all make me feel quite smug about my car's 1130kg weight
5 people at 150kg each would be a hefty family!!
Jameshow
Veteran
To think most if not all of these are significantly faster than the hottest of yester years hatchbacks
Not checked the others but the XM red label and EQS 53 do 60 in under 4 seconds
Xm red label is that a large citroen or a big box of tea?
Jody
Stubborn git
Fastpedaller
Über Member
Not forgetting the 'big dog' ......... Must be more like an elephant!
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
It would (that is 30 stone each). And even in those cars, three people weighing that much would not fit remotely comfortably in the back.
Even the article is suggesting youy would need five adults averaging just over 18 stone plus a lot of heavy luggage, so it really is rather unlikely.
Particularly so given the price tags of those vehicles.
the snail
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham
Only if there was some financial disbenefit for such designs. There is no cost to the manufacturer if you kill another road user, so they don't care.
Tnat's not true. Cars in the UK and EU have to meet with stringent safety standards or guess what...
There are financial penalties (and possibly criminal ones too).
the snail
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham
Yes, they have to meet relevant standards, but as long as they do that, it makes no difference to the manufacturer how many other road users die. That is why I would tighten the regulations so that designs present as little danger to other road users as possible. That just seems like common sense to me.
So you'd tighten the regulations that make car manufacturers present as little danger to other road users as possible by just changing those self same regulations that already exist. How are you financing the research and costing to make sure that your new regulations are reasonable and will work? Why do you think that the EU and UK Governments haven't already made those regulations better if they thought they could be made better? Are we saying that they are in hock to the motoring lobby?
Well, it's a bit of a daft hill to put your flag on. The average weight of a family runabout is about 2000kg for an EV. Probably a bit less for an ICE although at the top end you get the 1900kg Range Rover. 2700kg plus is strictly the luxury willy waving category. In 2021 there were only 2 EVs over 2700kg.
There are more now but they tend to be things like the EV Hummer, the Tesla Cybertruck, Volvo EX90, Merc EQS SUV 450,500 and 580, Rolls Royce Spectre, that fugly BMW etc. Hardly family runabouts.
