[Leon Della Bosca]

Australia’s biggest-selling vehicles are posing an increasing danger to other road users, with SUVs and utes replacing family sedans as the preferred choice for motorists.

I don;t know about you, but I’m seeing more oversized American trucks on our roads, too. Yeesh.

SUVs and light commercial vehicles, including utes, now make up 76% of new vehicle sales, compared to 45% a decade ago. Sedans and other passenger cars have dropped to just one-fifth of all new car sales. Despite most new vehicles having a 5-star safety rating, experts argue that these ratings don’t fully reflect the danger posed to others by larger vehicles.

Monash University researchers analysed real-world crash data to rate the ‘aggressivity’ of various vehicles based on the frequency of serious or fatal injuries inflicted on other road users in crashes. Large SUVs, vans, and utes recorded the highest average aggressivity ratings, making them more hazardous to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Pedestrian deaths attributed to large SUVs and pickup trucks are on the rise in the US. The same thing seems to be happening here. I take you back to the comment about more oversized pickups and SUVs on the road. See the pattern?

I agree with the experts who say we should have a higher tax on larger vehicles. We should be doing all we can to promote the use of smaller, safer models – and electric vehicles.

I’m even a fan of applying higher parking fees and higher tolls based on weight and size.

For me, it’s about the environment as much as saving pedestrian lives if possible.

Are you with me or against me? Happy to hear your thoughts on this one.

[45er]

Obviously Leon didn’t carefully read his own article before declaring his position and opinion.
If the proportion of SUV’s and Ute’s by his own figures have increased by 68.8%, you would naturally expect that the number of incidents involving them would also increase. Unfortunately he does not include figures to support the amount of the actual increase, whereby he is expressing a personal opinion, not a factual supported position.
For anyone, including me to take a position other than one based on perceptions or personal prejudices without providing ALL THE FACTS, they are better not to offer an opinion to influence others.

[Marten]

I am aware there is an increase of SUV vehicles on the road, but for the life of me I do not understand why they appear to be more popular. Sedans usually offer a much better ride and often cost far less, apart from the fuel expenses and maintenance, and possibly also insurance fees. Apart from being able to tow caravans, they do not offer any more advantage over sedans. They do offer an advantage to trades people, but in most cases owners hardly ever utilize the additional benefits they may perhaps offer. In our neighbourhood I often notice that SUV’s are occupied by merely one or two people only! I totally agree with the safety aspect of sedans being far more greater than SUV’s generally.

[Cosmo]

Today’s YLC articles really raise questions about the standard of informative journalism. After reading about a Micky-Mouse 8 week trial involving 35 or so participants “proving” the health benefits of strawberries which didnt even involve actual strawberries I now read an article suggesting it looks at whether traveling in a bigger car makes you safer when it doesnt cover that at all.
Whether as a pedestrian or in another vehicle, I don’t think it has ever been suggested that being hit by a larger vehicle is safer than impact with a small one so it brings us back to this article’s misleading heading.

It must then be assumed that all the vehicles in the Monash study were driven remotely because it talks about the aggressivity of vehicles, nothing about the aggressiveness, capability, age or driving records of the people driving them.

Without the benefit of Monash’s sophisticated research facilities and YLCs analytical capability but just observing road users I would say the aggressive way in which some of the large US ‘trucks’ are driven by their drivers compared to the less aggressive way little old ladies drive their ‘micros’ has much to do with their danger to other road users. I would still prefer to be in a truck rammed by a micro than in another small car rammed by a micro. All of this is so obvious that I’m still left wondering about the point of this heading and article!

[Lyn]

Certainly a biased opinion as to small and larger vehicles. Times have changed over the years and are still changing. What each person chooses to drive is their choice and should never be anyone else’s call. Making a statement to cause doubt in peoples minds to follow their opinion is what this world is coming too with great regret!

[Couldabeen]

Leon, the owners of the larger SUVs and “pickups” have already paid quite a bit more in tax and also in registration and direct running costs. Most of the vehicles in question fall into the LCT bracket and are charged a tax on a tax in that bracket.
We live in a democracy and everyone is free to chose the vehicle of their choice. For how much longer is in question as the ACT is limiting that choice in a few years and the other States are also eyeing it off. Hopefully there will be changes of Government in all States to maybe throw that idiocy away.
There is no benefit in real terms from the push for more EVs on the road (apart from Dealers making more money from their sale and the the Federal Government also gaining from the increased GST revenue.
If you want to drive a small car or an electric one, do so, that is your choice.

[Author]

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