I just read an article in the NYTimes regarding SUVs and safety. Basically- SUVs are dangerous to those who drive passenger cars- the fatality rate is higher in collisions involving a passenger car and SUV.
There's a lot of studies that actually show SUVs are not as safe as we though they were.
Then why do they account for 50% of automobile sales in the United States?
While the industry has for years disputed critics' contentions that the increasing prevalence of S.U.V.'s posed a serious danger to other vehicles in collisions, 15 automakers from four nations agreed to redesign their light trucks, specifically S.U.V.'s and pickups, to reduce the likelihood that they would skip over the front bumpers of cars in collisions.
They also agreed to increase protection of passengers in vehicles struck in the side, most likely by making side air bags that protect heads standard equipment in vehicles sold in the United States.
The changes are particularly aimed at helping people in cars survive when struck by light trucks.
...
Regulators see a variety of reasons for this, and are primarily citing the lagging use of seat belts and the rising rates of drunk driving. But they have also been prodding the auto industry to address vehicle safety issues. Federal crash statistics have indicated that car occupants are far more likely to die in collisions with light trucks, a problem that has been increasing with the numbers of light trucks on the roads.
Sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, despite their bulk, are also no safer for their own occupants because they are far more likely to roll over than passenger cars.
Samanthas Mom
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Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs
SUV's have a high chance of turn over/roll overs but I still love them
I used to have a pathfinder and now use a jeep cherakee sport but I cant wait to pay off my car and get a new pathfinder again! I miss it so much
Samanthas Mom
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Dina- the link is not working?
Sassyz75
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It worked for me- do you have a NYTimes account? It's right on the NYT homepage... or it's in the business section.
I don't know if I'm so thrilled w. SUVs.. automakers know they are dangerous- yet they call SUVs their 'cash cow'... I don't think they care so much about our safety or the environment- just their profit
Lunatrek
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Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs
Well my friend drives a Durango and got into an accident with an Audi (she hit her on her drivers side door, the lady in the Audi pulled out in front of her). They were both hurt, but luckily not too severely. So I think no matter what the vehicle is, SUV or otherwise, having it equipped with the right kind of safety equipment makes all the difference.
Samanthas Mom
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Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs
Also, if a CAR hits a SUV you get less damage..... for example this lady lightly bumped into me once, I got out and nothing was there on my car b/c she was so low she hit my plastic part of the bumper, I am sure if I was in lets say a miata, I would have had a dent
Sassyz75
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Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs
Right Tammy- that is the point of the article- because there are so many SUVs on the road they are creating a danger to regular vehicles... you cannot compare damage to your SUV when it is hit by a passenger car- compare it when it is hit by a like vehicle... SUVs notoriously cause more damage when they hit passenger cars- sometimes even jumping on the hood of the car they are hitting!
Plus... and this is a stretch- I think a lot of people that drive SUVs are a little more reckless- especially in snow- they think they can drive like maniacs b/c they have 4 wheel or whatever- and weave in & out of traffice! I have seen this year after year... it makes me nervous for MY safety in my little Ford.
Samanthas Mom
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I was not able to view the article..... It depends on the driver I guess, I drive slow in the snow in 4wd no matter what people problem get mad at me for that!
this lady was not going fast so I dont think she had damage either b/c we were all waiting to make a left out of a lot, and she said she' took her foot off the break for a second' would have been nice if she just said she was sorry! anyway, all I meant was if you own a SUV and someone does rear end you lightly you will most likely not see a thing b/c you are higher up if you are hit by a lower car
Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs- article included....
I saw this on the news...man the auto industry look like saints...but they only did this b/c the US gov't was thretening regulations if they didn't do something
now - 1/4 of all cars have side airbags 2008 - 1/2 of all cars will have side airbags 2010 - ALL cars will have side airbags
and by this time manufacturers will lower the bumpers on SUVs...so they would hit the bumper of a car...and not over it
I wouldn't have such a problem with SUVs if the few people that drive like maniacs didn't have them...
last year in a snow storm I was driving home from work (in a saab - which is a good car...but I really couldn't drive well or fast) both lanes were packed and we were going about 20-30 mph...an SUV came up behind me and FLASHED ME!!! even if I could get over...where was he going? all he succeeded in doing was scared the crap out of me...more than I already was
listen to the accident reports during a snowstorm...they will be SUVs...
edited for typo
stacedz
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Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs- article included....
Totally have to agree with the fact that people in trucks and SUVS tend to drive faster in the snow because they think they can. Erica, what would have scared the crap out of me too! I have driven on the LIE in that huge storm last year where you had to stay right behind the person in front of you because you would have slid if you didn't, there was ice under the snow.
Donna
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Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs- article included....
I agree that some SUV drivers seem to be more reckless and daring. Like with what happened to Erica some think since they're bigger and powerful you should move out of their way.
My complaint is not being able to see when I'm behind them - it's hard to change lanes, etc.
I don't have any plans to buy one but if one was given to me or I won it I'd take it.
Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs- article included....
Posted by Donna
My complaint is not being able to see when I'm behind them - it's hard to change lanes, etc.
that scares me too...especially if the car in front of them stops short and you can't see it...
Jenny5150
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Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs- article included....
Posted by yabbobay
Posted by Donna
My complaint is not being able to see when I'm behind them - it's hard to change lanes, etc.
that scares me too...especially if the car in front of them stops short and you can't see it...
Maybe you're driving too close if you don't have time to react to the SUVs breaking. I believe the rule of thumb is that you should be 1 car's length away for every 10mph you're driving.
I drive a large SUV and have cars riding my bumper all the time where I can't even see their headlights.
I have cars cut me off because they didn't want to be behind the 'large truck'. What they don't consider is that I don't have the same breaking distance as a car. So they cut me off, slam on their breaks and I'm the 'bad one' because I almost hit them. Would you cut off an 18 wheeler?!? Same principle behind an 8000lb truck! (This statement is in general and not aimed at anyone here!!!!!! )
Stacey1403
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Re: Discussion of the Day- SUVs- article included....
Posted by yabbobay
I wouldn't have such a problem with SUVs if the few people that drive like maniacs didn't have them...
last year in a snow storm I was driving home from work (in a saab - which is a good car...but I really couldn't drive well or fast) both lanes were packed and we were going about 20-30 mph...an SUV came up behind me and FLASHED ME!!! even if I could get over...where was he going? all he succeeded in doing was scared the crap out of me...more than I already was
I know what you mean. Last year we were driving in the HOV lane and SUV's kept coming up and tailgating us. I mean hello we are in the HOV lane where would you like us to go!!! Most of the time they were alone in the car too!!!
wenndypoo
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I bought my SUV out of self defense, to level the field so to speak. I was tired of not being able to see around the other cars, and feeling like I was in a tuna can. Research supports the idea that I would fare better in a larger vehicle in case of an accident. That said, my SUV is rated #1 in roll-overs! But I still feel safer than I did in my little import.
