Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Laid the Speedy down yesterday

Frank, I'm not suggesting SUV's are slow or that all SUVs are unnecessary.

I am commenting on the proliferation of SUVs in Aussie and that they are dangerous (compared to regular size cars) to non-SUV drivers. I understand their purpose in rural environments like yours (and recreationally) but I don't think the following reasons are crap:

1. If a regular car gets hit by an SUV the impact is more detrimental to the car than if it was a car to car collision. The impact area is higher and in a t-bone collision the impact is at a more dangerous level.

2. A large percentage of SUVs have roo-bars (bullbars). That means 0% collapsing impact on the recipient vehicle or person. Many SUVs have a chassis and that's bad like the bullbars.

3. SUVs restrict vision from following vehicles. When in traffic I like to be able to see the tail-lights of vehicles further ahead than just the vehicle directly in front of me - for greater reaction time.

4. The majority of SUVs in Aussie never go off-road and are totally unnecessary. They have become a trendy or Aussie macho. Visit a school during drop-off or pick-up time and see how many SUVs are being driven by moms. Their size and lack of vision around the vehicle make them a danger to children pedestrians.

I understand they make driving safer for the occupants - but that's at the expense of the safety of everyone else.