The downside of heavy, overpowered trucks and SUVs

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Nissandriver

In the 1980s my brother was so proud he could see over the cars in his tall pickup. The thought that came to my mind was, ¨an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.¨

Sounds quite accurate.

I lowered my 240SX an inch. There were places it was difficult to cross the highway because the weeds would block my view. I noticed one time at a traffic light that if I looked at the Corvette in front of me that my eye level was lower than the top of his shoulders.

Makes me wonder what you would have to say about the Puma GT, a Brazilian Volkswagen-based sportscar. I have already seen some lower than the waist of an average-tall person.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

The last Brazilian coupé-utility I would dare to say it's compact is the VW Saveiro. All others are around the size a regular-cab Chevy S10 had around 20 years ago...

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

I see two problems, one the operator. SUV and pickup drivers seem to be overconfident.

But in most, if not all the accidents I've seen lately, the driver claimed he couldn't see the pedestrian or cyclist. And with hood heights these days, I can see how that's possible.

A professional musician that I know bought his wife a Suburban. He explained the logic of it:
* She's the worst driver he's ever known.
* And rather than see her die in an accident of her own making; he'd surround her in a battle tank, hoping it might save her, even at the expense of probably killing whoever she collided with.
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It is a contextual form of logical decision-making.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Automatic braking should just be standard equipment these days. All cars have the necessary control due to the ABS, they just need radar to detect people and vehicles.

Regarding pickups, when there was ice a few weeks back, everyone grabbed them and left their better handling sedans at home. For some reason people think pickups with mud tires and no weight in the back is perfect for an ice rink.

I believe that these 'automatic' technologies are part of the premise for autonomous-driving vehicles.
My oldest brother, who used to work for Los Angeles County, and was responsible for the repair of damaged county property, had a rubber stamp that he'd had made, and kept on his desk labeled 'ESTO.'
One day his supervisor came by, noticed the novel stamp, and inquired as to it's origin.
My brother's remark was, 'Equipment Smarter Than Operator.'

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by aerohead

A professional musician that I know bought his wife a Suburban. He explained the logic of it:
* She's the worst driver he's ever known.
* And rather than see her die in an accident of her own making; he'd surround her in a battle tank, hoping it might save her, even at the expense of probably killing whoever she collided with.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is a contextual form of logical decision-making.

Same story with my sister. Worst driver, so buy a big 4Runner which is more difficult to maneuver than a sedan.

Cars with lane keep assist technology can be "hacked" with Comma AI to be level 2 self driving, which would be a cheaper and safer option than simply buying a bigger vehicle. Avoiding the accident is a better safety strategy.

Was trying to get my grandfather to buy something with automatic braking and lane keeping because his driving was getting so bad. Had no ability to see anything off to the side, including a bicyclist that might be in the road off to the side.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by aerohead

A professional musician that I know bought his wife a Suburban. He explained the logic of it:
* She's the worst driver he's ever known.
* And rather than see her die in an accident of her own making; he'd surround her in a battle tank, hoping it might save her, even at the expense of probably killing whoever she collided with.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is a contextual form of logical decision-making.

The problem with that kind of logic is that it only looks at half the equation.

Looking at the data - Trucks and SUVs have higher survival rates in 2 car crashes as they tend to weigh more and overtop and crush smaller vehicles. They have lower survival rates in single car crashes due to higher center of gravity and lower crash standards than cars.

[freebeard]

With a two (or more) car accident the odds could be as good as 50-50; but in a single car accident....

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

Looking at the data - Trucks and SUVs have higher survival rates in 2 car crashes as they tend to weigh more and overtop and crush smaller vehicles. They have lower survival rates in single car crashes due to higher center of gravity and lower crash standards than cars.

Reminds me the day I noticed a warning sticker for the risk of rollover in the dashboard of a Ford Ranger police truck, while talking with a police officer shortly after a batch of new police trucks had been comissioned.

[oil pan 4]

Using our plants resources to make huge battery powered vehicles in the name of "saving the planet" is a fraud.
https://youtu.be/SiRzpKWshwU

[Isaac Zachary]

I've always held the position that if they made more efficient cars (the lightest and most aerodynamic possible) that could help solve range anxiety and provide more battery materials for other EV's.

I was standing next to a pickup yesterday that I couldn't see the top of the hood on. I'm 6'1".