Evidence indicates that **oversized vehicles** contribute to accidents, increasing risks for **pedestrians and occupants** of smaller cars.
Historically, secondhand smoke’s dangers galvanized public health reforms by highlighting its **negative externalities**, a concept that applies to large vehicles.
Despite rising awareness, **little action** has been taken by policymakers to address the hazards associated with **car bloat**, a term for the rising popularity of large SUVs.
A grassroots campaign similar to the **anti-smoking movement** could mobilize public support for regulating vehicle sizes and improve road safety.
Lessons from the fight against smoking emphasize the need for **community involvement** to push for vehicle size regulations at local and state levels.