SUVs

[grufty]

Article in the Guardian by a pedestrian survivor

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... -by-an-suv

[Stradageek]

During Josie Dew's tour of Devon she bemoaned the surfeit of 'Upwardly mobile. downshifting yuppies, with 4x4's and matching Labradors' clogging the tiny Devon lanes and decided that SUV stood for 'Stupendously Unnecessary Vehicle'.

IMO there is no possible justification for owning one.

[simonineaston]

I simply don't understand a society that thinks it's OK to drive down most roads in a car that doesn't fit into the road markings.

[ANTONISH]

There is now a demand for electrically powered SUV's - thus one can show green credentials while still being a menace to the more vulnerable.

[Mick F]

I simply don't understand a society that thinks it's OK to drive down most roads in a car that doesn't fit into the road markings.

Lots of places round here with a sign stating a width limit of 6ft except for access.
Most CARS are over 6ft wide, including our 2014 Yaris.

Just measured it.
80" wide .................. 6ft 6ins.

This is just three of them.

[Cugel]

I simply don't understand a society that thinks it's OK to drive down most roads in a car that doesn't fit into the road markings.

Advertising.
Political kowtowing to the various motoring lobbies, from manufacturer's to those of several ilks and tittles of road-loon.
Filums and tele that portray driving as macho thrusting in a large tin merkin, which ignores any and all risks, especially to others.
Car size as an indicator of status.
Drivers using their car as a substitute for lack of fitness, strength or attraction in their person. (Car as superhero costume).
Etc..

In short, the car as an emblem of power, status and strength for those that don't actually have any. Even those that do may feel an insatiable need for more and so purchase their pedestrian-mangler.

Cugel

[Pebble]

I simply don't understand a society that thinks it's OK to drive down most roads in a car that doesn't fit into the road markings.

Lots of places round here with a sign stating a width limit of 6ft except for access.
Most CARS are over 6ft wide, including our 2014 Yaris.

Just measured it.
80" wide .................. 6ft 6ins.

This is just three of them.Screen Shot 2022-11-22 at 10.48.10.png

Screen Shot 2022-11-22 at 10.49.21.pngScreen Shot 2022-11-22 at 10.47.18.png

They should do what they do with bridge heights, make a point that is exactly that width/height. Catches wagon drivers out daily

[axel_knutt]

It's not just 4x4s that are the problem.

[simonineaston]

My first car was a (proper) mini. I don't ever recall thinking to myself, "You know what - this blinkin' thing is just too small..."!

[PedallingSquares]

Stupid Useless Vehicle.
Pointless marketing dream that the driving public seem to have fallen for.The smaller ones are particularly pointless.You can't even get a family's weekly shopping in the boot of most of them.
It's bad enough being force fed EVs, being force fed ESUVs is a double kick in the danglies

[Psamathe]

Around where I live there are loads of single track lanes and narrow two way roads and I'm continually reflecting how much harder it is to drive an SUV around the area. The single track lanes with an SUV and often the passing places are too small whilst the narrower 2 way roads are fine for two small hatch backs but an SUV and anything and both cars are needing to find a passing place. So much harder to drive an SUV around and for what benefit? (apart from spending vastly more of fuel).

Ian

[Bonefishblues]

Around where I live there are loads of single track lanes and narrow two way roads and I'm continually reflecting how much harder it is to drive an SUV around the area. The single track lanes with an SUV and often the passing places are too small whilst the narrower 2 way roads are fine for two small hatch backs but an SUV and anything and both cars are needing to find a passing place. So much harder to drive an SUV around and for what benefit? (apart from spending vastly more of fuel).

Ian

Here's a thing. We have narrow lanes, we have narrow, potholed lanes, and we have pretty aggressive drivers. My wife isn't the most confident driver, nor, in fact is she the most competent*, buy she's careful. She wants a car that's narrow, capable of taking to the verge when she's bullied by a car coming towards her, as well as coping with the day-to-day, plus the ability to navigate unsalted roads in winter.
We run a Volvo XC70, which is essentially a jacked-up estate, as a result, shod with All Season tyres. I can't imagine our wanting anything more, nor needing it - but it's akin to an SUV, I guess?

*True this - I won't give chapter and verse, but incidents are not unknown.

[hemo]

SUV , truckz etc ,etc = intimidation to other road users.
My Mrs used to own a R5 & then a Gen1 clio, now has a latest clio . It is some 40/50% larger then the original.

[Pebble]

There is now a demand for electrically powered SUV's - thus one can show green credentials while still being a menace to the more vulnerable.

Have seen a couple of all the new Landrover Defenders recently that appear to be steam driven


seriously, a very strong smell of deisel, must not have been running on all cylinders - could taste it in the air for a good mile.

[richardfm]

My first car was a (proper) mini. I don't ever recall thinking to myself, "You know what - this blinkin' thing is just too small..."!

We did after we had our first child. Going on holiday with baby clobber was a challenge.