Obama's CAFE Standards May Put More Lives in Danger - Page 6 - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum

Maat222 · #76 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Sorry, but if I'm driving my gas guzzling SUV, and someone coming the other way in a Prius crosses over into my lane and hits me head on, any death in that accident was not caused by my SUV...

In general is it my experience that smaller cars have better handling, less momentum, corner better, better traction, etc., so are less likely to cross the center lane and cause accidents.

The only thing larger SUV type vehicles have is better visibility.
But SUV drivers often seem to forget that 4 wheel drive does not help on turns or braking when the roads are slick.

Mrs. M · #77 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maat222

No, I have shown that cars are getting safer and safer, and while I can't prove it is because they are also getting smaller, that is the most likely conclusion you should be making as well.

The government agencies that state smaller will be more deadly, do not have anything to base that one, because it has not happened yet.
They are making a prediction, not giving actual data, so you should not be accepting it as proof of anything.

If you look at the only actual data we have, such as the smaller trend in the US and Europe, then the actual data implies smaller is safer.

I know personally that I have avoided accidents many times because of the ability to swerve into a smaller space, with a smaller car, that I could not have done with my truck.

The 2009 Lincoln Town Care has a 5-star crash protection rating and yet the smaller 2009 Mazda RX-8 has an average of 4 stars....so you were saying????

Steve · #78 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maat222

In general is it my experience that smaller cars have better handling, less momentum, corner better, better traction, etc., so are less likely to cross the center lane and cause accidents.

Crossing into an oncoming lane is, 100%, due to the actions of the operator. If that happens, I want to be in my big SUV...

Quote:

The only thing larger SUV type vehicles have is better visibility.
But SUV drivers often seem to forget that 4 wheel drive does not help on turns or braking when the roads are slick.

And, quite often, good visibility is what you need to avoid an accident.

But, to your point, I tow a camping trailer. You're telling me that this:

Is going to tow this:

As well as this?

Right...

Maat222 · #79 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Tank Rampage In San Diego

Great video, but there no evidence that one would be at all safe in the tank if you hit a permanent obstacle.
In fact, the only obstacle he really hits is the traffic divider, and he hits that so obliquely and is tall enough to go over it, so that it is not a rapid stop.
He just finally get stuck.

Steve · #80 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maat222

Great video, but there no evidence that one would be at all safe in the tank if you hit a permanent obstacle.
In fact, the only obstacle he really hits is the traffic divider, and he hits that so obliquely and is tall enough to go over it, so that it is not a rapid stop.
He just finally get stuck.

I watched that unfold live on the local news.

There wasn't a whole lot in the way of that tank which could be considered a "permenant obstacle"...

Angry American · #81 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

How about a new standard for passenger cars, with a 10 year goal for all passenger cars to weigh below 3,500 pounds, including SUVs for personal use, and a minimum of 20mpg combined driving.

Angry American · #82 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Crossing into an oncoming lane is, 100%, due to the actions of the operator. If that happens, I want to be in my big SUV...

And, quite often, good visibility is what you need to avoid an accident.

But, to your point, I tow a camping trailer. You're telling me that this:

Is going to tow this:

As well as this?

Right...

What's camping about that trailer? Why don't you just rent a cabin?

Maat222 · #83 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Crossing into an oncoming lane is, 100%, due to the actions of the operator. If that happens, I want to be in my big SUV...

And, quite often, good visibility is what you need to avoid an accident.

But, to your point, I tow a camping trailer. You're telling me that this:

...

Is going to tow this:

...

As well as this?

...
Right...

Visibility is nice, but not worth blocking everyone else's view of the traffic like SUV's do.

Sure you need a large vehicle to tow, but then you don't need to drive that all the time.
You should probably have a small car and a large, seldom used, truck.
I do.

MattLarson · #84 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Optionally, he can drive what he wants, and you can drive what you want.

Admittedly, this takes the fun out of busy-body sorts telling everyone what to do and how to live, but I think that's a cost we can manage.

Maat222 · #85 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. M

The 2009 Lincoln Town Care has a 5-star crash protection rating and yet the smaller 2009 Mazda RX-8 has an average of 4 stars....so you were saying????

The Lincoln costs 4 times as much as the Mazda, and that is why it gets a good rating, not because it is larger.
In reality, the Lincoln will be harder to avoid accidents.

Steve · #86 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maat222

Visibility is nice, but not worth blocking everyone else's view of the traffic like SUV's do.

Sorry, but my main concern when I drive is how I operate my vehicle. One very important factor in that is visibility.

I'm not willing to compromise my visibility. if my truck blocks the visibility of some guy in a Prius, I'll happily give him directions to the local truck dealer.

But, no, I won't compromise my own safety in lieu of someone else's...

Quote:

Sure you need a large vehicle to tow, but then you don't need to drive that all the time.

And, exactly who are you to make that determination?

Quote:

You should probably have a small car and a large, seldom used, truck.
I do.

How wonderful for you.

My '99 Ford has just over 100,000 miles on it. That's not a lot for a ten year old vehicle.

And I drive it all the time...

Steve · #87 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angry American

What's camping about that trailer? Why don't you just rent a cabin?

Hehehehe... but we go to campgrounds.

I still go tent-camping from time to time, but I find that, as I get older, I enjoy some of the creature comforts a travel trailer offers...

Maat222 · #88 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattLarson

Optionally, he can drive what he wants, and you can drive what you want.

Admittedly, this takes the fun out of busy-body sorts telling everyone what to do and how to live, but I think that's a cost we can manage.

Why should people be allowed to waste the oil our grandchildren will need in order to survive?

Why should single drivers with no cargo be allowed to essentially drive large killing machines on the road, for no reason?

Mrs. M · #89 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maat222

The Lincoln costs 4 times as much as the Mazda, and that is why it gets a good rating, not because it is larger.
In reality, the Lincoln will be harder to avoid accidents.

So because the Lincoln costs more, it automatically gets a better safety rating????? You do realize that makes no sense, don't you?

Maat222 · #90 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Sorry, but my main concern when I drive is how I operate my vehicle. One very important factor in that is visibility.

I'm not willing to compromise my visibility. if my truck blocks the visibility of some guy in a Prius, I'll happily give him directions to the local truck dealer.

But, no, I won't compromise my own safety in lieu of someone else's...

And, exactly who are you to make that determination?

How wonderful for you.

My '99 Ford has just over 100,000 miles on it. That's not a lot for a ten year old vehicle.

And I drive it all the time...

You don't need a V8 for visibility.
You can get even better visibility in a 4 cylinder VW van, and there are lots of little pickups.

Others get to make that determination because it is their safety and their future oil that you are compromising.

But I do agree that if you are not putting on lots of miles, it may be better to stick with what you have.
It takes more oil to make a smaller replacement vehicle than it does to just keep the larger one running.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode