A new report warns that the growing size of cars in Europe, particularly the steady rise in bonnet height, is putting pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users at greater risk. The research, published by Transport & Environment (T&E) with the support of the FIA Foundation, shows that the average bonnet height of new cars has increased from 76.9 cm in 2010 to 83.8 cm in 2024, with growth of about half a centimetre each year.

The report, Ever-higher: the dangerous rise of bonnet height, and the case to cap it, highlights that this trend is closely linked to the surge in SUV sales. SUVs have grown from 12% of the European market in 2010 to 56% in 2023, crowding city streets and increasing dangers in collisions.

Why bonnet height matters

Research shows that when cars with high fronts are involved in crashes, they often strike adult pedestrians above their centre of gravity, hitting vital organs. Victims are also more likely to be knocked underneath the vehicle rather than pushed aside. A Belgian study covering 300,000 crashes found that increasing bonnet height from 80 cm to 90 cm raises the risk of death for pedestrians and cyclists by 27%.

High bonnets also restrict driver visibility. Tests cited in the report show that drivers of certain models, such as the Ram TRX, cannot see children up to nine years old standing directly in front of the car. Even a Land Rover Defender leaves children up to four and a half years old invisible to the driver.

Recommendations for action

The report calls for urgent measures to protect road users, including:

• ·         Setting legal limits on bonnet height in the EU and UK, with action by 2027.
• ·         Including bonnet height in new Vehicle Registration 2030 standards, alongside vehicle width, length, and total height.
• ·         Adopting a Child Visibility Test to reduce blind spots, first through Euro NCAP and then in EU law.
• ·         Adjusting taxes and parking fees to reflect vehicle size and weight, discouraging oversized cars from dominating urban spaces.

A growing threat

James Nix, Vehicles Policy Manager at T&E, warned:

“Higher bonnets are a danger to pedestrians, cyclists and people in regular cars. It’s impossible to see children standing in front of some of the highest fronts. The growing trend towards SUVs means this problem will only get worse unless we set limits.”

Sheila Watson, Deputy Director of the FIA Foundation, added:

“Growing SUV heights represent a clear and immediate danger to every street user. Pointless size increases not only pose safety threats, but also use more resources, create more emissions, and are more expensive to buy and run. The European Commission and UK government can and must legislate against oversize vehicles dominating our streets.”

The report concludes that the rise in oversized, high-fronted SUVs brings no benefit to society, while posing serious safety risks—especially to children. The authors argue that the simplest and most effective solution is a legal cap on bonnet height.

📖 Read the full report here: Ever-higher: the dangerous rise of bonnet height, and the case to cap it