• SonnyVabitch@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    There needs to be a social cost of owning these abominations. If we make it more expensive or more regulated, they’ll still find the people who want to drive them. If we make them embarrassing, shameful, or otherwise costly in social standing, the market for them will soon collapse.

    • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Other countries require a special license for vehicles that big.

      It costs more, and requires frequent tests, written and driving. The large vehicles are also prohibited from driving down small side streets and using normal parking spaces.

      Because at this size, they’re only needed as commercial vehicles.

    • Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
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      5 months ago

      If the only reason people have them is for social status, you’d have a point. But, that fails as soon as anyone actually uses one for their intended purpose.

      • SonnyVabitch@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        What’s the intended purpose of the higher hood? Cars exist that are safer for pedestrians, we should stigmatise those who choose not to opt for them.

        • Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
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          5 months ago

          Effective crumple zones, larger engine, higher engine increasing ground clearance necessary for longer vehicles. Driver and passenger safety: lower hoods throw deer, elk, and moose into the passenger compartment.

          How often are pedestrians involved in collisions? How often are they seriously injured? How often are driver and passenger involved in collisions, and seriously injured? Because there is always at least one occupant present and there is rarely a pedestrian involved, occupant safety is a far more important consideration than pedestrian safety. We can justify removing sharp, penetrating contours from the front of the vehicle, but we can’t justify anything that increases risks to occupants.

          I haul 6 customers, 3 crew members, and a 5000lb trailer with a Suburban on up to 9 trips a week. Ideally, I’d have a 4th crew member to help out, but I already have to throw one of the crewmembers in the back, in a jump seat behind the 3rd row, because a suburban only seats 8.

          No amount of social stigma against SUVs is going to convince me to go with something smaller.