Is It the SUV or the Driver?

[Pete Kraus <Pete_Kraus@Emory.Org>]

Gross Scruggs, Ralph Poplawsky and Dustin Sysko all present
interesting comments about the pros and cons of SUVs.  Two
observations stand out:

*  SUVs enjoy great popularity among the current (non-enthusiast?)
car-buying public.

*  SUVs frequently are driven poorly.

It's ironic though understandable that while SUVs often are viewed as
safer than the average car by perspective purchasers, they seem to be
involved in more than their share of serious accidents. Every quality that
would endear them to the safety-conscious has a potentially calamitous
downside.  For example, SUVs are (or appear) bigger and heavier than
passenger cars, which superficially makes them seem safer but which
blocks the view of nearby drivers and is likely to inflict more damage to
other vehicles when a collision occurs.  SUVs have lots of
confidence-inspiring traction, but they're built on truck or truck-like
chassis that are less wieldy and more difficult to stop in an emergency. 
Add a cushy, insulating  interior and it's no wonder unsophisticated
drivers are lulled into thinking SUVs have better-than-car-like limits and
proceed to overdrive them.  (From what I see these days, too many
drivers are oblivious to car limits as well.)

While we might be better off if SUV drivers chose Quattros, I certainly
wouldn't want to legislate or otherwise force anyone out of his/her
vehicle of choice.  As someone who values and covets good handling,
good performing cars, I have no problem seeing a non-utilitarian
attraction to vehicles that are quite the opposite (such as my Ford F250
4x4 diesel pickup).  To each his or her own, I say.  But it would benefit
society if we could do something about the deplorable standard of
driving that seems to prevail everywhere.  Most current vehicles are safe
if driven competently, courteously and within their design limits.  Better
to devote our energies to driver improvement than to work ourselves into
a snit about the alleged unjustifiable popularity of a certain class of
vehicles.

Pete
Pete_Kraus@emory.org
'85 4KSQ
'89 F250 4x4 diesel
'95 Z28