Why do people drive unnecessarily large cars (AKA "SUVS")?

creedp · 23-04-2025 11:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382177#Comment_123382177

Are you sure? I'd say most people wouldn't even know what you're talking about

Schorpio · 23-04-2025 11:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123381667#Comment_123381667

Prevention is better than the cure.

magicbastarder · 23-04-2025 11:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123381571#Comment_123381571

I swear we'd all be better off if estates were the go-to for families rather than deceptively small SUVs.

they're so much easier on the eye too!

magicbastarder · 23-04-2025 11:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123381387#Comment_123381387

because it's probably the best example of mixing a high density of cars with a high density of pedestrians.

Cordell · 23-04-2025 11:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382177#Comment_123382177

We've been here before with the likes of ABS and ESP, people thought they were better than these systems, turns out the aren't. Same with these new ones.

creedp · 23-04-2025 11:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123380088#Comment_123380088

This silly old chestnut again. The only thing that spike would achieve is drivers of such vehicles mowing down anything in front of them because of their reluctance to brake and be impaled

Anyhow, I am reminded of the clip where a road safety expert described how the best safety feature in a car would be a big pointy spike sticking out of the steering wheel - no driver is going to risk driving in a manner that might cause the need for a sudden stop.

Tenzor07 · 23-04-2025 11:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382252#Comment_123382252

ABS isn't the same as annoying beeping sensors which most people now switch off, they are dangerous and distracting..

Apart from that would you consider someone who relies on lane assist or auto braking/collision avoidance features during their driving test to be fully safe driving without using their own ability to drive competently?

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-14523807/Car-safety-tech-dubbed-dangerous-distracting-useless-drivers-half-turn-assist-features-OFF.html

Cordell · 23-04-2025 12:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382321#Comment_123382321

All drivers are prone to mistakes and distractions and situations that are beyond human ability and control. A fully qualified and competent driver can't break and steer as good as the ABS, they can't brake on a single wheel like ESP does, and can't react as fast as automatic emergency braking systems. Drivers are human, and we were not designed to move and react that fast.

Tenzor07 · 23-04-2025 12:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382341#Comment_123382341

Did you read the article in the link? Too many beeps, bongs and distractions is just as dangerous and most people switch it off.

People having to buy large heavy vehicles with a multitude of sensors isn't a solution to road safety either.

Tenzor07 · 23-04-2025 12:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382183#Comment_123382183

They'll be aware when their vehicles are beeping at them every few minutes..

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-14523807/Car-safety-tech-dubbed-dangerous-distracting-useless-drivers-half-turn-assist-features-OFF.html

pale rider · 23-04-2025 12:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382205#Comment_123382205

ah yeah of course. Stating the obvious there but everything that helps minimize a collision is good, I’m over 40 years driving with zero penalty points, from putting the belt on to setting off, this is s basic responsibility of road safety and all aids assist, I would not dream of bypassing them.

creedp · 23-04-2025 04:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382352#Comment_123382352

Most people I know don't turn them off. Quite a few don't know what they mean. Some might turn them off once or twice but can't be bothered going through the hassle or doing this each time they start up.

Ash.J.Williams · 23-04-2025 04:45PM

I think farmers and tradies have been priced out of jeep ownership nowadays with carbon tax and the average price being over 100k so any 5 door jeep now is a w**nker

Yeah Right · 23-04-2025 05:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123381563#Comment_123381563

The supermarket is the one and only place where I don't reverse into the space. Unless the space can be easily accessed from the rear after you've reversed in, it's too much of a PITA to squeeze between cars with multiple bags of shopping, leaving the trolley where it can roll away, and all the fun and games that are part and parcel of shopping with a ~~three year old~~ Tasmanian Devil that's just drank 2 cans of monster.

creedp · 23-04-2025 05:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123383052#Comment_123383052

You should visit a mart now and again before you make silly ill informed sweeping statements

BP_RS3813 · 23-04-2025 05:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123381667#Comment_123381667

Mine is 68% whatever that is in stars according to the specs online (so 3½star I suppose?)

However the car I drive is tiny compared to some of the giants on the road today. I rely mostly on my own observations to see pedestrians (car has censors and reverse camera too but only really useful when reversing into a spot and checking distance from car behind. The touch pad is also tiny too so no destractions.

Size is the main factor regarding pedestrian collisions not whatever some safety rating says it is. A tank with a safety rating of 100% is more dangerous to a pedestrian in a crash then a mini with rating of just 40%

pale rider · 24-04-2025 01:17AM

Do people consider all Suv’s to be tanks though ?

An NCAP rating of 5 against anything lower is safer for pedestrians, that’s a fact, you can mow a person down with a scooter, the argument is getting silly now.

jiminho · 24-04-2025 02:13AM

deleted

Busman Paddy Lasty · 24-04-2025 02:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123383109#Comment_123383109

I see where you're coming from. I make sure to get a parent-and-child spot so can get boot access and reverse park.

RoyalCelt · 24-04-2025 03:29AM

I love the aul ones that go around driving those big range rovers. Clear status symbol and they straight up don't give a **** about the environment.

_Kaiser_ · 24-04-2025 07:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123384414#Comment_123384414

Most people don't - look at the results that the Green Party got in the election and how many TDs they have in the current Dail.

Rightly so I might add. Most "Green" policy in this country anyway is just another form of taxation in a "think of the children/trees" wrapper, or fantasy nonsense like windowsill lettuce boxes or reintroducing wolves or what not.

The reason there's so many diesel cars on the road is directly related to Green party policies in 2008.

Let's not forget though that this is a small island with a overall population of less than most major cities. Our contribution to environmental damage is miniscule by comparison to countries like China, India, the US and so on. Prostrating ourselves on the altar of Green politics is both nonsensical and irrelevant, especially in a country with massive problems around cost of living, housing, immigration and so on.

As for the "aul ones", why should they care if they can afford it? My only concern would be if someone can competently handle their car (male or female), not typically Irish begrudgery (in this case dressed up as social conscience) over what brand they drive.

People are entitled to spend their money on whatever car they like and can afford and why shouldn't they? God forbid someone spend money on something they like! We pay enough in taxation and charges and general bills in this country - much of it squandered by a wasteful Government and civil/public service, or to support people who have no incentive to better their own lot.

As I said, the above is just typically Irish envy and begrudgery - It's more of a national sport than GAA! - but it's the wrong heartstring to try and pull on here!

Jacovs · 24-04-2025 09:16AM

To answer the OP…because I have an unnecessarily small penis.

So via my company I own:

2017 Isuzu 250 single cab

2018 Isuzu 250 4x4 single cab

2022 Toyota Hilux 2.8 4x4 Xtra cab

2024 Toyota Hilux 2.4 double cab

2024 Toyota Hilux 2.4 single cab

But in my own personal name I own:

2008 Hyundai Atos 1.2

So it evens out.

timmyntc · 24-04-2025 09:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123384367#Comment_123384367

NCAP is weighted far more toward occupant safety than pedestrian safety. A 5 star rating means feck all toward pedestrians, a 3 star NCAP can rank better toward pedestrians than a 5star.

magicbastarder · 24-04-2025 09:58AM

yeah, i assume a 5 star rating for pedestrian safety is an 'as good as we can reasonably expect' rating.

it certainly doesn't mean there's an equal outcome for both passengers and pedestrians for cars with 5 star ratings in both, when it comes to a collision at 50km/h say.

McGrath5 · 24-04-2025 11:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123384457#Comment_123384457

The Green Party did take a big hit in the last election, but they still have a healthy majority in your head.

_Kaiser_ · 24-04-2025 11:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123384996#Comment_123384996

I bet that seemed clever when you posted it, but unfortunately we're still dealing with the fallout from their nonsense - and not just their most recent term.

I could go into Ryan and his impact on our Energy independence and security through his/their opposition to the LNG terminal, or Roderic's "come one, come all" tweets impact on our immigration numbers (with all the negative effects that's had) but those are for different parts of the site - suffice is to say that they've done a lot of damage to this country that has and will continue to be felt for a long time to come.

pale rider · 24-04-2025 01:11PM

NCAP uses a star rating system (1 to 5 stars) to represent the overall safety performance of a vehicle. A 5-star rating indicates excellent safety across all categories, including pedestrian protection, while a 3-star rating represents average safety.

5 stars is always better than 3 and newer cars with 5 stars are safer again for occupants and pedestrians than older cars that passed with 5 stars at the point in time they were assessed.