yes, you raise very good points clocker, but i think my basic assertion remains true: mortality rates for SUV drivers and passengers are below average. Maybe they do get into more accidents, but its less likely that they're going to be seriously injured. Driving an SUV may create unique opportunities for getting killed (those inside, not in other vehicles), but the ultimate statistics are: average mortality and serious injury rates, ie, below or above average.Originally posted by clocker@18 June 2003 - 20:01
SUV's certainly look like they should be safer, but do, in fact, exhibit poor handling and rollover tendencies. The average driver has less control than in a standard vehicle unless their first instinct is to simply ram another vehicle and let the chips fall where they may.
Furthermore, according to the Colorado Highway Patrol, SUV/4-wheel drive vehicles are more likely to get into single-vehicle accidents ( by far the most common) in bad weather due to a false sense of security. Most people are clueless to the fact that while 4 wheel drive may increase your likelyhood of starting to move on ice, it will do nothing when it comes to stopping.
In fact, the extra mass and typically high center of gravity make the problem worse.
I apologize for the formatting, myfiles. I know you hate it.
Will you still respect me in the morning?
Not to rag on you unduly, but i have been immersed in social policy research lately, and the fact is, the colorado study is just one state, and cites only single vehicle accidents, but doesn't indicate the severity of the crash. So, i suspect that these are mostly non-serious accidents, as most single vehicle crashes are. Its when 2 or more vehicles are involved that the death toll climbs (at least i assume so).
as for 2nd gen noob, I wouldn't rush to criticize the presence of humour, sarcasm or irony in my posts -- my ultimate point is entirely relevant, ie, people will go to great lengths to protect loved ones. Something can indeed be humourous and salient at the same time, even on the topic of carnage.
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