Illustration by John Sadler www.johnsadlerillustration.com 

• THE number of SUVs (sport utility vehicles) has increased markedly around our streets.

I regularly count about six in my road alone. It is doubtful if these vehicles have much “utility” in urban areas or indeed if they are ever taken off-road.

Other than use by emergency services or the military (their origin) they seem to serve no other purpose than to confer status on the owner.

I believe some drivers think they offer more protection in an accident. While this may be true, they are not safe for other road users.

Pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of lighter vehicles are statistically more likely to be seriously injured in a collision due to the much heavier weight and design of SUVs.

They are also responsible for greater emissions of CO2 (25 per cent more than the average car) and the total emissions of SUVs globally make them the equivalent of the sixth largest industrial economy if they were a country (source: International Energy Agency).

Given the poor air quality in Camden and the importance of reducing vehicle emissions to meet climate change targets, it would seem that there is now enough information for the owners of these vehicles to make more sensible choices when they next buy a car.

It may be that there are some residents who could consider dispensing with a car altogether. Car ownership has been falling in Camden and now stands at a just over 30 per cent; and this must be a positive development for both health and environmental outcomes.

PAUL IRVING, NW5