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Road safety experts propose levy on SUVs in city to curb rising Victorian road deaths
(www.theguardian.com)
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this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2023
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The problem is that manufacturers are only offering larger and larger and larger vehicles and aftermarket companies are marketing heavier and larger modifications and accessories.
Even the smallest 4WD on the market, is larger than the previous model. The largest Dual-Cab Utes able to be driven on a car license are substantially bigger than their previous models.
Previously, Tradies would drive Coupe Utilities and their Single-cab/tray variants (and before that Panel Vans) which were compact sedan- shaped at the front. Nowadays, tradies have no choice by to drive Dual Cab Pickup/Utes, Vans or Light Trucks.
Aftermarket manufacturers push non-crash tested bullbars/roobars/nudge bars in lieu of crash-tested factory bumper bars and sell accessories that significantly increase the weight of the vehicle, especially roof-mounted.
Meanwhile, driver distractions are up due to social media and real-world social expectations, despite technologies designed to minimise distractions like DND modes and Safety-conscious In-Car specific UIs.
No the problem is that governments arent legislating standards and are letting australia be used as a dumping ground for models that cant be sold elsewhere.
As the article mentions people are getting tax breaks to buy these things and then not using them for work. They're buying dual cabs to take their kids to school and go mudding. Not to visit work sites.
The vast majority of these tradies could make do with a van and a trailer. Their tools would be more secure and they'd have more space for hauling. But tradies arent buying these things. People who want to look like tradies are.
It also mentions that they've caused an increase in morbidity and mortality on the roads. To get a motorbike license i had to take 2 day courses and tests and also do logged supervised hours. This is apparently necessary even though the only person i'm likely to hurt on a bike is myself. People driving these light trucks dont have to get any special licenses or training at all.
Towing a trailer is a skill. Driving a vehicle that is larger than average is a skill.
I agree that there needs to be specific driver training; you should need to do some advanced testing to be entitled to tow a trailer or drive a larger vehicle.
Standard licences will need to be restricted to a certain GVM and a certain GCM. The problem is that the Caravan Industry and the Grey Nomads with dementia would get upset.
This is a big part of the answer. Try telling someone that a full size sedan from the 80’s/90’s is the size of a modern compact car and most still respond that they won’t drive a compact because they’re “too small”. Reality is that vehicles have been designed larger year over year and people don’t want to shift out of the model that they think is “the right size”.
I once borrowed my father in-law's Holden Statesman when I was on an interstate trip.
Well over ten years old, oil leaking piece of shit (It's a Holden).
I'll tell you what though: as someone who has never owned a large sedan, I was absolutely blown away by how much room is available in the boot.
It was cavernous! I had a bunch of projects to carry out that involved hiring a bunch of gear. I was fully prepared to hire a trailer and I never had to. That boot would swallow just about anything. Multiple bodies!
It was way more practical than my wife's SUV boot, and I never even had to put the seats down which I would absolutely have had to do with either of our more modern cars.
I was also blown away by the fuel economy. A supercharged V8 getting waaay better mileage than our tiny 4 cylinders. Power to weight ratio off the charts and I have to admit very nice to drive.
It would be super cool if someone was still making practical cars like that.
Alas, we've lived in the boonies for many years now. Where we live a proper 4x4 system is not really an optional requirement especially during the wet season.
What are they, hermit crabs?