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Paris is saying ‘non’ to a US-style hellscape of supersized cars – and so should the rest of Europe
(www.theguardian.com)
this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2023
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There’s more to consider than just “I am comfortable”, imo. Fuel economy, wear and tear on the roads, and safety (for you and those around you) are important factors as well.
Bigger and heavier vehicles tend to have worse fuel economy. This not only costs the owner more money, but it also is worse for the environment. However, this may be an outgoing trend as more hybrid/electric pick up trucks and such are coming to market.
Bigger and heavier vehicles cause more wear and tear on roadways. This, in turn, increases the frequency of required road maintenance (read: requires more tax revenue), or else the road may become treacherous to drive on.
Bigger and heavier vehicles are proven to be safer (aside from rolling) for passengers in many regards - the size makes it safer for passengers inside the vehicle, since there is more car to take the impact before reaching the passengers. In a vehicle collision, the passengers in a heavier vehicle are safer than the lighter one, as the heavy vehicle will put more force on the lighter one. This is good for the passengers of the heavier vehicle, but much worse for the others.
Large sedans/saloons are quite comfortable, and they are very spacious. They handle better on roads to. Yet they have better fuel economy then trucks and SUVs.
I drive a 7000lb vehicle. My passengers are very comfortable and safe. I am fine with everything else you’ve laid out as long as 1 my family is safe and 2 we are comfortable. I’m happy to trade off on everything else on your list to maximize the results for 1 and 2.
I thank whatever deity or random chance that happened that I don’t live like a Europoor in a country that can limit my choices.
"everyone else will suffer for my comfort, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make"
Only you don't have to give up comfort for efficiency and road safety. Large sedans/wagons offer generous trunk space, ample seating for multiple adults, and very comfortable accomidations. Yet they don't worsen traffic safety for others, and they offer superior protection with their lower rollover risk.
Shame doesn't work on morons, that's how you can tell someone's a moron. No shame, only belligerence.
It’s an arms race where cars just keep getting bigger for supposed safety. Cars are safer than they have ever been, but that’s not a direct consequence of their increasing size.
Meanwhile, the trend of ever larger cars makes it unsafer for everyone outside of the vehicle. If you care about your family being safe, you might also want to consider how safe they are when they’re not inside of the vehicle.
My kids don’t play in the street, they are plenty safe. A 7000lb vehicle keeps them safe on the road.
This is such a sad state of affairs. Please try to reflect a little; your viewpoint seems to be completely self-centered without any regard for the people around you.
But even if you only care about your children directly: them only playing inside is such a waste. And if all of your neigbours hold the same views as you do, you’re never getting out of that hole.
Yee-haw, got me and my jumbo-sized family a jumbo-sized vee-hickle and not Obama or nobody else gon’ tell me what I am, or what I ain’t drivin’ on these star spangled streets of Murica.
Yep me and my jumbo sized families descendants will inherit the earth. Most Europoor nations can’t even produce enough kids to replace the people they have.
Enjoy becoming irrelevant and going extinct Eurotrash.
Totally different from US states that are so desperate for workforce that they have to outlaw abortion, right?
Dude, we already know education is expensive in US, you don't need to actively show it to the world. We get it.
Lol not only do you drive shitty little CUVs but you are also uneducated. Enjoy paying more in taxes for less.
https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how-do-us-taxes-compare-internationally
Says the American paying more for healthcare and education for worse outcomes than any other country in the developed world. There's a reason you're this dumb and it's not your fault.
Enjoy paying more taxes for less.