Americans' love affair with big cars is killing them

https://www.economist.com/interactive/united-states/2024/08/31/americans-love-affair-with-big-cars-is-killing-themfromTheEconomist

by Swizec • 2 years ago

8 4 2 years ago

economist.com

MattGaiser• 2 years ago

Well, it is more that people with big cars improve their own safety but reduce those around them.

The people who love big cars are safer.

Swizec• 2 years ago

Active safety on big cars struggles tho. In my experience (from rentals) stopping distances are horrendous, handling is awful, everything wobbles like you’re on a roller coaster, and you can barely see where you’re going.

I once drove a Suburban and it had haptic feedback in the seat to warn you that you’re about to drive over something. Because the road in front of the car was literally invisible.

smcin2• 2 years ago

It's pretty obvious (and research showed) that heavier trucks/cars are more dangerous/lethal to pedestrians/cyclists/other drivers, but mindblowing that IIHS only in 2023(!) started estimating the [very different] rate at which [specific makes of] cars kill drivers in other vehicles. Policymakers are starting to take notice too. “I’m concerned about the increased risk of severe injury and death for all road users from heavier curb weights,” Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chair, said in a speech last year.

smcin2• 2 years ago

Fixed the URL: https://www.economist.com/interactive/united-states/2024/08/...

Archive: https://archive.ph/tVYOx

Americans' love affair with big cars is killing them

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