I read this recently: - Last year 5,447 people were killed in crashes involving a car and an SUV, that’s over 1000 more deaths than in crashes involving two cars. This is despite the fact that car-to-car accidents are more common than car-to-SUV accidents AND there are twice as many cars than SUV’s on the road. - For every person who dies in an SUV that collides with a car, four people die in cars hit by SUVs Does this suprise or frighten anyone else? I have a truck so I'm not nearly at risk in the same way as smaller cars, but whenever I drive my wife's Del Sol, I get freaked out. ------------------ Time for a new cause.
I was driving a 4runner, wanna guess why I changed? ------------------ Vice President of the Jason Collier fan club!
Jeff, What are the numbers on vans? Or Semis (Big rigs)? Or Pick ups? The fact is, in an automobile accident the bigger of the two is usually going to fair better, and the smaller of the two is going to fair worse. The SUV owner is paying (a whole heck of a lot) for security and room. The Del Sol (among others) owner is paying for gas mileage and economy. I drive a 1988 Honda Prelude. ------------------ "I have a DREAM.........his name's Hakeem." DREAMer's Rocket Page [This message has been edited by DREAMer (edited November 28, 2000).]
the height of the car is deadly for pedestrians and cyclists, instead of flying over the windscreen they get wedged under the car ------------------ "It's incredible to see how he [Mobley] can beat his guy one-on-one every time. That is a tremendous talent. The combination of Steve and Cuttino, I think, is wonderful in the backcourt." --the Dream
I've heard stories of SUV's being easier to roll over. Thus, they may be safer in an accident, but may not be as safe overall. ------------------ "There are two players carrying the Rockets right now. Hakeem and Olajuwon." Isiah Thomas
Speaking of SUV's, what do you guys think of the new Acura. It doesnt look spectacular, but isnt too bad, and in a recent Car and Driver test it beat out 7 other "luxury SUV's" in both city and country-offroad driving situations. As per the topic of this thread, hearing this information, do you think people should by less SUV's and more cares--that way everyone will be in a similar situation and it will definitely be friendlier on the environment or should you look at that data and say, "geez, i better go out and buy and SUV" ?? ------------------ Remember.... You are not really drunk until you must hold on to the grass to keep from falling off the earth.
my mom has a Mercedes SUV. it drives well and is also very sturdy. the mercedes numbers for flipping over, etc are much lower than that of many other lighter SUV's. but IMO, the Durango is hte best buy. nicely equipped-24,000. compared to 4runners-30,000, mercedes 40,000, and Navigators, 52,000(highest model) it is a great value Also hte new aztecs are a little lower to the gruond so much safer than many SUV's and has many useful features. it just looks kind of funny
Actually, DREAMer, the numbers for pick up trucks and vans are lower. The main reason is because their numbers are MUCH lower than cars or SUV's. Most people up north drive cars and SUV's are becoming more popular there. Trucks, outside of the south, are used predominantly for work. In addition, I've seen stats that show that truck and van drivers have a tendency to drive more slowly simply because van and truck drivers are career van and truck drivers. Many SUV drivers are driving a large vehicle for the first time. Most people who own trucks or vans buy them every time they buy a new vehicle so they are used to being in them. I'd really be interested to see how many "rookie" SUV drivers represent the percentage of SUV accidents. ------------------ Time for a new clause.
This appears to be a bigger problem to me than just the SUVs themselves. Having so many people who aren't used to them and who don't fully appreciate the differences between driving SUVs and regular cars. SUVs are probably becomming safer for other drivers, though. Manufacturers are making them more "car-like", which makes the transition less daunting. And there are many SUVs being sold now that are lighter than previously, making the collisions less dangerous for other drivers. But since there are millions of older "truck-like" SUVs still on the road (and many current'/new models are still very truck like - your Navigators and Suburbans don't fall into the category of "lighter" and "more carlike"), the problems certainly aren't going to go away. ------------------ Houston Sports Board The Anti-Bud Adams Page
Of course SUVs are easier to roll over. Look at them. There's no way they couldn't be easier to roll over. Their center of gravity is, by design, higher than for regular cars. Though they are more prone to roll-overs than regular cars, SUVs still have a lower overall fatality rate. Even the Ford Explorer that we keep hearing so much about in terms of deadly rollovers because of the tires has a death rate 28 percent below the national average of motor vehicle fatalities. ------------------ Houston Sports Board The Anti-Bud Adams Page
The biggest concern with SUV drivers is that lack of experience driving large vehicles. Add that to road rage, cell phones and the general lack of attention that is paid on roadways and you have a nasty combination. ------------------ Time for a new clause.
Reasons SUV's are bad: 1. High rollover risk. Very, very bad in tests, and this is without stuff in them (adding weight inside or on top greatly increases rollover risk). 2. Very inefficient. These things waste so much gas it is obscene. 3. Poor drivers. These 5'3" "soccer moms" still think they are in sedans or, worse, sports cars. Also, the "bad ass" men who like to show how cool they are in their big machine. 4. The new evidence Jeff brought up. 5. They really do not have that much more room than large sedans. In other words, gimmick. 6. It is a joke that glorified army jeeps have become status symbols. 4 wheel drive is really improtant to combat all of those huge potholes in city driving, eh? Sorry, I have no opinion about this matter. ------------------ EZLN
The new Frontier(extra cab with the works)is very nice. ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
My wife calls them "small dick cars." ------------------ RealGM Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
Juan wrote: " ... My wife calls them "small dick cars". ..." ROFLMAO Ironically I spent a lot of time test driving SUV the past two weekends. Looked at a whole passel of them. Durango (at about 26-29K) has to be the broadest based and most stable feeling(driving)/looking. My wife loves them. I can't handle the price. I have another (17 y/o son) starting college in the fall. But since it is going to be my vehicle sahe doesn't get to choose. I am still leaning toward a Tacoma PreRunner SR5 or a Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Both give me affordability (both around 21K comparably equipped to the Durango), traction stability, high-view, etc ... . The Ford arguments about the Firestone Tires was interesting. But you could tell they have been getting some major flak over it. We spoke to Dr. G., an emergency physician we know in Texas, whose wife was one of the first known victims (killed) of the dreaded Firestone tire unravelling. Her 1999 Explorer flipped end-over-end ejecting and killing her. Ford was very accomadating and apologized in person, accepted responsibility and settling out of court within weeks. Firestone has been a pain in the ass ever since. They still haven't settled with them. The worst part he said was not having them admit their responsibility at any time. He still liked the Explorer. ------------------
i ALWAYS see women driving SUVs i think that is the DEADLIEST combinations 1. woman driver 2. suv i swear, women get this whole different attitude when they are driving an SUV. every SINGLE time im on the road, and someone in an suv does something stupid, its *always* a woman driving it. they get this intense pms road rage estrogen thing going men in suv's are usually laid back and for the most part dont drive with much road rage. im not sexist, but i drive 70 miles a day for the last 2 years, and these observations are unbelievably consistent ------------------ people who are related dont have to look alike. my mom and dad dont resemble each other at all
Conservation for the environment is good and all, but you and your family's safety comes first. I personally foresee myself upgrading to bigger vehicles in the short future. For most SUV's, defensive driving negates roll-over driving. Defensive driving should be practiced by everyone anyway. ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
Keeping my family safe is my number one priority, so I've purchased an M-1 Abrams Battle Tank. Specifications: Length: 32 ft 0.5 in Weight: 120,000 lbs Speed: 45 mph Main gun: 120mm Crew: 4 The existing armor looks to be a little weak for Houston driving, so I've contracted with Bradley Fighting Vehicles to augment my tank with an additional 10 tons of armor. How does buying bigger and more destructive cars keep families safe?!? I have to buy a the biggest, most destructive vehicle available to protect my family? The best way to protect families for everyone to drive the most destructive vehicles around? Besides, driving an SUV makes you more likely to kill other families. Families that may be too environmentally-conscious to drive an SUV. Families that may not be able to afford the expense of buying and operating an SUV. Fine, you say, at least MY family is safe. It seems like a better way to keep all families safe would be for families to purchase less destructive cars. Cars with bumpers and frame rails at responsible heights. Cars that have a respectable stopping distance. Cars that weigh less. The solution is NOT to just buy a bigger car than your neighbor. Where does it end? Right now, everyone (hyperbole) drives an Explorer so families have to drive Explorers to keep safe. If tomorrow, everyone drove a HumVee, would all families have to buy HumVees to keep safe? If the next day, a few people bought M-1 tanks, would all families have to buy M-1 tanks to keep safe? I shouldn't have to buy the most polluting car around to keep my family safe. I do, though, in Houston, because of all the selfish, environmentally careless people who drive tanks.
jamcracker you idiot! You bought the 2000 model... the new 2001 comes with additional gun turrets and can hold a crew of 6! If you haven't seen the Simpsons-Canyonero Episode I highly recommend it! (sung in a Rawhide-western style) Can you name the truck with four-wheel drive Smells like a steak and seats thirty-five?! Canyonero. Canyon-eeeeer-o... Well it goes real slow with the hammer down It's the country-fried truck endorsed by a clown! Canyonero. Canyon-eeeeer-o... (background tune still playing... disclaimer read very fast) <font size="1" face="Arial">"The Federal Highway Commission has ruled the Canyonero unsafe for highway or city driving"</font> 12 yards long, 2-lanes wide 65 tons of American Pride! Canyonero. Canyon-eeeeer-o... Top of the line in utility sports Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts! Canyonero. Canyon-eeeeer-o... She blinds everybody with her super high beams She's a squirrel-squashing, deer-smacking driving machine! Canyonero. Canyon-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer-ooooooooooooo... Ahh Canyonero! Whoa Canyonero! Whoa! ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
