Are you for or against Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and why? I welcome all opinions.?

Question

I hear people say they are unsafe. Is this true, or is it just that some people are poor drivers to begin with, and are driving them in an improper manner?

Answer 1

Any piece of machinery, including a butter knife and kitchen fork are only as safe as its user.

SUV's fall into the category of BIG MACHINERY. Unfortunatelymany operators of this BIG MACHINERY don't  learn the skills necessary and develop the safe habits necessary. They usually are not aware of the limitations regarding the laws of physics while driving their SUV's during adverse weather conditions or emergency situations.

The guzzle a lot of fuel, and are driven too fast, which puts more pollution into the air too.

My Toyota Corolla takes 50 litres of gas, compared to the average SUV, which takes about twice that amount.....AND I can get the same mileage as the SUV from half the amount of fuel.

Also, the faster a person drives, the more fuel that driver uses.......15 - 20 %  more.........that adds up!

It a driver has to swerve in an SUV, they usually oversteer (as most drivers do), which may cause a rollover due to the higher center of mass........so, those are my opinions..

People need to learn the limitations of the vehicle they are operating and develop proper skills and safe habits in order to remain in control of that vehicle, no matter what type it is.

The biggest problem is that NUT behind the wheel......

Answer 2

One problem is that people put over size tires on them or raise the body because it looks so cool.. That raises the center of gravity, then drive too fast and try to turn sharp. Over they go. I had a 1991 S-10 Blazer 4 door and at 35 MPH I had to avoid  a car that pulled out in front of me. I was into the oncoming lane and back into my lane in a flash and it handled it very well.

Another consideration:  I live in a rural area. If I leave town the only thing protecting me from Semi-trucks is a stripe of yellow paint. So, Yeah people around here drive big SUVs and trucks.   If you live in L.A. where traffic is 3 MPH on a good day and there is a concrete barrier to protect you get a damned hybrid and leave me and my truck alone.

Answer 3

I am for them because mine is used for both work and pleasure, are they safe, yes if you understand how to drive which most people dont.......

Answer 4

I felt the few that I have driven were top heavy and unstable. I also felt like the brakes were underpowered - few parking lots have wide spaces now so you end up parking from line edge to line edge - which means parking is hard to do and people door ding you more

considering gas prices, people are trading in suvs like crazy and you can get a steal if you don't mind paying through the nose on gas

A friend of mine right now is paying over 300 a week in gas bills right now - so seriously consider what the fuel bill will do to your wallet

Big, bulky, hard to park, unstable and drinks gas - not exactly a great advertising piece :)

Answer 5

I drove truck local for years in the snow and on average I would see 12 - 15 vehicles in the ditch a year. out of these around 10 or more would be suv's. I believe they are safe and I also believe they give people a false sense of security which leads them to take chances that they wouldn't with a smaller vehicle. not one time did I see a car like a ford escort in the ditch.