Posted by Epoxy (66.26.80.19) on November 28, 2002 at 08:50:55:
In Reply to: Re: SUV Haters posted by Harley (139.134.63.153) on November 28, 2002 at 05:31:36:
> Yes - I meant the one directly in front of me. If it is an SUV, you have no idea of what the traffic is like ahead of them - they leave it to the last minute to brake - you hit them. Whose fault is it? Unfortunately, by law, not theirs.
[Three words: safe following distance.]
> I am Australian. And as one who prefers smaller cars, it thrills me that the fact that they can "smash over" me makes life safer for THEM. That was exactly my point you moron.
[Dang! Australian! I should have thought of that possibility. Sorry. But the other point here is that when *everyone* (or most people) drive SUVs (something like 30-40% in the US?) then the hazard to others is no greater than it was when most/everyone was driving smaller vehicles, right? Your argument is similar to what strident bicycle or horse-riders must've come up with when cars first started appearing on roads.]
> And yes, I know f*ckwits who like to be "safe" rather than learning to drive properly, park properly and be considerate drivers have embraced them as the new Volvo, but I don't have to like them for it.
[Agreed. Everyone should be a safe driver, but since the majority of people are at the center of the bell curve, it's not going to happen until driving becomes automated, which should begin appearing within 10 years.
So you must live in a big city right? In rural parts of America, especially out West, the roads are big and wide, you can see for miles, and probably 75% of people drive trucks or SUVs. If you told them SUVs were "bad" they wouldn't know wtf you were talking about. And I would guess it is like that in most of rural Australia, no? Maybe a good compromise would be banning SUVs in densely populated cities.]