A nation of idiots

[LuciferSam]

There is a practicality to a smaller vehicle, for some more than others, if you realize that much of the time, you're driving by yourself, perhaps to work, and you just have to get your person from point A to point B. Look at all the people riding motorcycles. Very little passenger room, no collision protection, but they have their niche. Not everybody needs a SUV. For some, I'm sure it's a kind of status symbol.

 

[Teresa]

yes, I could totally drive a teeny tiny automobile, with no need for hauling extra people or stuff, about 98% of the time. but there is that safety issue that's kind of scary too. especially when traveling on the interstate. but still, I think I'm willing.. especially if all the other cars are teeny tiny. and we do away with 18 wheelers (yikes).

 

[LuciferSam]

yes, I could totally drive a teeny tiny automobile, with no need for hauling extra people or stuff, about 98% of the time. but there is that safety issue that's kind of scary too. especially when traveling on the interstate. but still, I think I'm willing.. especially if all the other cars are teeny tiny. and we do away with 18 wheelers (yikes).

I wasn't thinking what I would call teeny tiny. The smallest car I'd want to drive might be the size of a Mini Cooper. Some small cars have excellent safety records due to maneuverability, stopping distance, crumple zones, restraint systems, side air bags, and low incidence of roll over. Roll over used to plague SUVs, I'm not sure if it still does.

 

[ugabuga]

I wasn't thinking what I would call teeny tiny. The smallest car I'd want to drive might be the size of a Mini Cooper.

They say the guys who drive the big expensive vehicles are compensating for their small...well, you know...

Watch out, I think Lucifer Sam may be tryin' some o' that reverse psychology on us.

 

[Lynnie]

There is a practicality to a smaller vehicle, for some more than others, if you realize that much of the time, you're driving by yourself, perhaps to work, and you just have to get your person from point A to point B. Look at all the people riding motorcycles. Very little passenger room, no collision protection, but they have their niche. Not everybody needs a SUV. For some, I'm sure it's a kind of status symbol.

I was on a bike Friday night - nice evening for a ride. There is, unfortunately, always the driver who just plain doesn't pay attention. We almost got creamed! I screamed (first time ever on a bike) and thankfully my driver is a very defensive driver. Guy in the SUV gave us an "I'm sorry" wave. That was nice, right? My heart rate was up, up, up!

BR, I know what you mean about the smaller car in town even. I am seeing more Smart Cars and I just don't get how they get to be called smart. One booboo and you are toast....no room for mistakes at all.:shock:

 

[30A Skunkape]

Skunky, I miss Ignatius. I can't get used to the horse skeleton or whatever that is.....

When our occupancy rates are up and people stop talking about being scared of our water, I will bring him back. Until then, we are in limbo...

 

[LuciferSam]

I was on a bike Friday night - nice evening for a ride. There is, unfortunately, always the driver who just plain doesn't pay attention. We almost got creamed! I screamed (first time ever on a bike) and thankfully my driver is a very defensive driver. Guy in the SUV gave us an "I'm sorry" wave. That was nice, right? My heart rate was up, up, up!

BR, I know what you mean about the smaller car in town even. I am seeing more Smart Cars and I just don't get how they get to be called smart. One booboo and you are toast....no room for mistakes at all.:shock:

Don't ride bicycles.

 

[LuciferSam]

They say the guys who drive the big expensive vehicles are compensating for their small...well, you know...

Watch out, I think Lucifer Sam may be tryin' some o' that reverse psychology on us.

Yeah, chicks were rubbing up against me when I was driving that Yugo.:roll: They sensed my self -confidence.

 

[scooterbug44]

I agree that there are some jobs/circumstances where an SUV is a sensible vehicle choice.

Kids going to neighborhood school or soccer practice is not one of them IMO - that is why they made school buses, mini-vans, station wagons, Volvos, etc. Mama Scooterbug managed to raise 2 kids with many extracurriculars (and wearing seatbelts) without driving a SUV.

And a great deal of a SUV's "safety" is negated by the fact that people drive them like idiots - and a semi or box truck will still cream one.

 

[Lynnie]

I agree that there are some jobs/circumstances where an SUV is a sensible vehicle choice.

Kids going to neighborhood school or soccer practice is not one of them IMO - that is why they made school buses, mini-vans, station wagons, Volvos, etc. Mama Scooterbug managed to raise 2 kids with many extracurriculars (and wearing seatbelts) without driving a SUV.

And a great deal of a SUV's "safety" is negated by the fact that people drive them like idiots - and a semi or box truck will still cream one.

Maybe 'safer.' Two accidents in my family: my Aunt driving a small something, maybe like a Ford Escort, which suprisingly is a fairly heavy car - she died immediately; and, my Uncle in a large sedan (think flagship Cadillac), was hit head on by an SUV; my Uncle did not survive....we removed life support after two weeks of hope, anguish, day after day of horrific news.....misery.

So, maybe preference and maybe danged good reason. Don't judge every little choice of others.