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Originally Posted by CrazySaturn
I know it's a summation of all the prior points, but I might as well add my $0.02.
I drive a small car, namely a 2500 pound 1994 Saturn SL2. While everyone in their SUV's trumpets their safety and usefulness, all I see is this:
-More chance of me dying in an accident with one
-More chance of damage to my car if I get into an accident with one
-Me not being able to see around SUV I'm next to, leading me to possibly get hit when I try to pull out into intersection etc.
-Me not being able to see above and past SUV I'm behind at intersection, leading me to drive through intersection on late yellow or red due to me not being able to see light
-Me getting hit when person in SUV forgets that AWD only gives better acceleration, not braking and handling
Also, the whole "why don't I move up in size" argument is horrible. SUV's lose in almost every aspect of driving. Need space? Get a wagon, great alternatives. The few legitimate reasons I see for having a SUV are towing capability (which I rarely RARELY see put to good use) and offroad driving, which I see used fewer than towing.
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Reasons 3 and 4 are purely all YOUR fault not the fault of the SUV. Here is what I really don't get about the people with this fear of SUVs...if you are so damned scared of them...get the hell away from them in traffic. It's really not that hard and before anybody tells me yes it is hard I'll invite you to come ride with my in rush hour traffic in Dallas where every other vehicle on the road is a large truck or SUV and I mean that in the most literal sense possible. You see a giant H2 barrelling down on you...get the hell out of the way. You can't see around the SUV...back off of it like you SHOULD do if you get near a tractor trailor.
I dunno maybe it's because I grew up driving around giant trucks that the SUV thing doesn't bother me when I'm in a smaller car when I'm on the road I'm more concerned about the little turd in the compact car that thinks it's an F1 racer weaving in and out of traffic than I am of the slow lumbering SUV of which I can easily spot coming or easily avoid if I need to.
Just use the same rules you apply to the 18 wheelers and you should be ok. If one is coming up on you at a high rate of speed...get out of the way.
If one is in front or to the side of you assume they do not see you and watch for them to move into your lane and if at all possible(which it usually is) back well off from them.
If you are pulling out from an intersection that has a large SUV blocking the lane slowly....edge out until you can see around them or simply just WAIT until they move and your path isn't obstructed.