Why are there so many SUV's on the road?

[Sausagenbacon]

I've just had a wonderful cycle ride (we used to cycle a lot during lockdown but not since).
We really noticed how busy the roads were, which was unsurprising, but we also noticed that most people drive suv's now, which is a pita.
Why is this, and how do people afford them?

We have them because we like them, they’re comfortable and safe. We afford them by working and also having our own business. We also cycle and manage fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Queenhecate I thought this thread was about cars. Not health.

Absolutely.

Anyone who wants should be able to walk into a shop and buy an assault rifle with no further checks.

It's their hard earned money, after all 😊

I disagree. I think you sound deeply stupid trying to dictate how anyone else spends their own money. We live in a democracy. Your whining is pointless and affects no one but you.

Ridiculous comparison since firearms are largely illegal. SUVs are not. Hope that clears that up for you.

So, do you disagree that assault rifles should be illegal? And if so, why?

Eh? No of course I don’t disagree that assault rifles should be illegal! I simply said that assault rifles ARE illegal. SUVs are not. Which part of that do you not understand?

Because we have horses and need to be able to tow our horse trailer (at least twice weekly and often more).

One thing that DOES annoy me about many 4x4/SUV drivers is their utter inability to park them! Watched some woman in the school car park the other day go forward and back about 6 times before managing to get in the space - the car was almost brand new so absolutely would have had all manner of cameras and sensors too 🤦‍♀️

I say that as someone who CAN confidently manoeuvre and park mine absolutely anywhere, with or without a trailer

Absolutely!

Isn't it great that we live in a democracy, and that civil society campaigners are able to lobby their elected representatives to penalise the use of oversized cars, as has happened in Paris, will hopefully be happening in London, and with any luck will spread nationwide? 😊

Perhaps SUVs will become illegal one day, like other dangerous things such as assault rifles

Yes, but why do you think assault rifles should be illegal?

Perhaps. But they aren’t currently, are they? So I shall continue to enjoy my, fully paid for SUV thanks.

Are you quite well? There is literally no comparison between the two. A gun is….a gun, its purpose is to shoot things. An SUV has a purpose…to transport things.
I am unlikely to be able to conceal an SUV about my person, walk into a school and kill people with it?
A gun also wouldn’t enable me to get down my very long drive or tow my neighbours out of a bog?

Maybe she isn't very bright?

I suppose we're establishing a principle here.

Do you agree that it's one of the purposes of a democratic society to impose laws that protect its members from harm?

https://tenor.com/en-GB/view/you-wouldnt-let-it-lie-vic-reeves-bob-mortimer-let-it-lie-gif-21764499

Some things are worth unpicking.

I'm sure we will finally get to the bottom of why ilovegolf (witty user name, btw) thinks that "living in a democracy" is the same as "I can do whatever I want, regardless of its impacts on anyone else".

Might take a while, but we'll get there in the end...😊

@crackofdoom We have had large cars almost since they were invented. People in the uk thrive on choice. Not always being controlled by a minority. People can campaign but others have a vote too. Personally I’d like to get rid of cyclists with no lights who wear black and run red lights. Oh - my mistake, se of that is already illegal. But we don’t care that much so we see this behaviour all the time. Stopping people buying what they want or need is going to backfire and most of us don’t want to live in a totalitarian society.

So again, where do you draw the line between public good and individual benefit?

Would you allow assault rifles to be easily sold in shops?

Because your last sentence could be used, pretty much word for word, to justify just that- and I'm sure is, in the American states where it is legal.

Oh, and NB: I'm sure you're aware of the massive increase in car size "since they were invented"? Perhaps you could point me to any vintage cars that were the size of a 2026 Range Rover?

No dear, you will never get there. You aren’t establishing anything other than your own irrationality.
We DO live in a democracy. It is currently entirely legal to own an SUV. I’ve owned one for around 30 years. I haven’t had a speeding ticket or a parking fine, much less an accident, in that time. I am entirely happy with my choices and your protests are irrelevant.

Oh yes she definitely does. I’m not saying she shouldn’t have a car, I’m simply saying it was a strange choice of car (it’s one of this massive SUV types)
She has been on disability since she was 60.

So, hun, let's get back to my original question, which I'm sure you'll easily answer with your superior intellect:

Why should assault rifles be illegal?

Asked and answered darling 🥰🥰🥰

Because the majority of cars manufactured now are SUV's, look at Ford, they no longer make the Fiesta, Focus & Mondeo, the most popular cars sold in this country. I'm disabled & looking at having another Motability car, I don't want an SUV again as I struggled to get in my last one due to the height I would have to lift my leg to get in, if the Fiesta was available I would have one in a heartbeat.

@Nat6999A Golf or a Polo would suit you. Or a mini - they are bigger than they were but a great car. Lots of smaller cars are available if you don’t want or need a suv. They aren’t obligatory.