Last month, two school children in Wimbledon died when a heavy 4x4 crashed through a fence and into an end- of- term primary school tea party. This is a devastating tragedy, but what chance did two small children have against a virtual tank? 

I was appalled by this incident, and by the unique danger that 4x4s and heavy cars pose in an urban setting. There is only one 4x4 model currently on the market that scores higher than one star out of five for pedestrian safety in Euro-NCAP crash tests. 

The weight of these cars, as tragically evidenced by last week’s incident, makes them virtual tanks - but their bonnet height and blindspots mean they pose a risk to pedestrians, small children and cyclists even when drivers remain in control at the wheel.

4x4s and other heavy cars also pollute, and damage road infrastructure, much more than other vehicles. The Range Rover Vogue, one of the bigger models, emits more carbon dioxide than two estate cars. Coroners have already attributed the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah, a 9 year old child, to the effects of pollution; if 4x4s remain on the roads she will not be the last.

Some people, particularly in rural areas, may need 4x4s or heavy cars to go about their daily business, but they are not a necessity in built up areas, and they are often just a status symbol