Thermo said:
im asking you to define a "normal" car, since a 4 x 4 is quite easy to define. Not all of them are built like tanks or have the front end of a train.
Then those are not problematic. As I said, I have been putting "4x4" in quotes as not all of them are built like tanks etc. The Porsche 911 is an example.
If you are going to wriggle and claim that I have to define what a normal car is because otherwise you won't know the difference between a normal car and a high square-fronted heavy "4x4", then you're clearly not interested in discussing this.
Yes, I am aware that some "normal" cars like the Vauxhall Astra have a lower pedestrian NCAP rating than, say, the Honda CR-V, which in turn weighs less than a Mercedes E class. So there is a spectrum of weights, and of safety, and different categories overlap, and many normal cars score badly for pedestrian safety.
But taken as a whole, large "off-roaders" are on average less friendly to other road users than other classes of vehicle.
I would worry more about the idiot driving than the type of car, why? because ive seen first hand what an idiot driving a car, even a clapped out fiesta driven badly for the conditions can do. When youve picked up the parts of an 8 month baby from the wreckage of a road crash spread out over a wide area, caused by someone in a normal car, then lecture me on road safety and being selfish.
Why should I have to do that before I can state that I consider some vehicle choices to be selfish ones? Would the accident involving the badly driven clapped out fiesta have been better, or worse, if it had been a badly driven 2-3 ton off-roader?
personally id rather take what steps are necessary to protect my family, if thats selfish then so be it. id rather be happy to wlak out of an accident and survive with my family and be thankful than walk out and mourn them but be grateful i hadnt committed a selfish act.
Like I said - you are choosing to inflict disproportionate damage on other road users in order to minimise the damage to you and yours.
Now i expect ill see this answer get disected up into small pieces and cut and pasted all over your next reply.
If you don't want people to respond to points that you make, don't make them. Perhaps you should complain to DIYnot for providing the ability to quote people's posts?
For one whose so against people typecasting people for all sorts of reasons you are pretty quick to get on your high horse and cast sweeping statements about other people.
Not all.
By the way my brother is disabled and the only car he can have adapted to suit his needs and allow him to get out and about is a 4 x 4. Does that make him selfish?
No.
Nor is the farmer in his Land Rover.
But those who buy Range Rovers, and Jeep Cherokees and Toyota Amazons and Nissan Patrols etc etc etc when the only off-road driving they do is to park with 2 wheels on the kerb, and they use them in urban areas "because they are safer" - they are selfish.
