The fuel crisis and Australians’ love affair with petrol guzzling monster cars

Now that the government is spruiking BIG car owners to "unload excess weight" and do their 'little bit' because of dwindling reserves, we are looking back on last year 's headlines to unravel how we got here.:

" Australians are obsessed with SUVs and huge utes, but experts say they are making our roads deadlier
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/13/australian-suv-huge-ute-obsession-roads-more-dangerous

* Big cars are increasing Australia’s emission and fuel bills – but what are the alternatives for families?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/30/australia-fuel-efficient-family-cars-guide-best

* ‘You have unmet needs’: the psychology behind Australia’s love affair with big cars
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/15/you-have-unmet-needs-the-psychology-behind-australias-love-affair-with-big-cars

* Road hogs: what is Australia’s love of big cars costing us all?
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/mar/16/road-hogs-what-is-australias-love-of-big-cars-costing-us-all

* The cars eating Australia: should we be trying to reverse our attraction to SUVs and utes?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/17/the-cars-eating-australia-should-we-be-trying-to-reverse-our-attraction-to-suvs-and-utes

** The Government launches $20 million fuel saving campaign: "Every little bit helps" Along with asking the public to consider using their car less, the ads promote tips to improve vehicle fuel efficiency, such as "driving smoothly" and "unloading excess weight". >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-11/government-launches-multi-million-dollar-fuel-saving-campaign/106555004

Image: Australia loves huge SUVs and trucks. First Dog on the Moon
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/18/australia-loves-huge-suvs-and-trucks-will-nobody-think-of-the-car-parks

#FossilFuel #fuel #petrol #cars #vehicles #SUVs #CarDependency #PetrolDependency #EnergySecurity #consumption #climate #pollution #RaodTrauma #BigCars #BigCarparks #FuelGuzzlers #FuelSaving #TaxPerks #NegativeExternalities #RoadFatalities #RoadDeaths #speed #pedestrians #MobilityDesign #governance #Australia #love #big #ExcessWeight #roads

More people are killed on Australian roads.

"Deaths on Australian roads have increased every year since 2020. This is despite the Australian government’s commitment to Vision Zero – having zero deaths or serious injuries on our roads by 2050."

"Unfortunately, 1,317 road deaths were recorded in 2025, a 1.9% increase from 2024. Land transport accidents also remain a leading cause of death for children and young adults, and the third leading cause of injury hospitalisations." >>
https://theconversation.com/more-people-are-dying-on-australian-roads-this-program-could-make-drivers-safer-276970

Comments: To "look at the entire system of road use" one must not just have the car as the road user in mind but the entire mobility design and their associated industries. The focus should be on public infrastructure that enable active and safe mobility (walking and cycling) for all. "Good mobility design" does not kill, maim, pollute or leads to planetary heating.

#cars #roads #RoadTrauma #RoadDeaths #crash #VisionZero #failure #IntegralAccident #MobilityDesign #cyclists #pedestrians #KillerRoads #wildlife #SacrificeZone #FossilFuels #climate

Image: Somewhere on Wikipedia. A time when people could not accept that motorists can just kill people and call it an 'accident'.

RE: https://ec.social-network.europa.eu/@EUCommission/116102870259205736

Dear #Ireland. This is sub-excellent.
#RoadDeaths

FFS, another motor killing in Coburg, that's 4 this year. That's an 800% increase in motor killings over the 15yr long term average of 1 every 2 yrs.

This intersection is notorious for being dangerous and scary even though it's an intersection between two roads with a signed speed limit of 40km/h.

#Coburg #RoadDeaths #Melbourne #BellSt

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-18/fatality-coburg-bell-street-sydney-road-truck/105789256

"Emergency services were called to reports of three cars colliding at the intersection of Gaffney st and Landells Rd about 7.15pm on 28 August 2025.

It is believed a Ford Falcon was travelling at a fast rate of speed along Gaffney Street when it collided with a BMW 320Ci and Toyota Corolla.

The driver of the BMW, a 66-year-old Pascoe Vale woman, was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries where she remains in a critical condition.

The driver and passenger of the Ford Falcon fled the scene and investigators are urging them to come forward."

#MotorKillings #RoadDeaths #Melbourne

https://www.miragenews.com/detectives-probe-pascoe-vale-hit-run-collision-1523521/

I went past this area on my way home 30mins after it happened, the police had blocked off the road, so I didn't know what had happened.

This is the second time this year a person has been killed crossing Moreland Rd.

A person hit by a car 60km/h has very little chance of survival and no chance of not receiving life altering injuries.

#coburg #melbourne #RoadDeaths #MotorKillings

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-25/coburg-fatal-hit-and-run/105692208