to think that 4x4 drivers are the most selfish w@*&(*&s ever???

[redrobin]

It makes my blood boil! They drive their big childcrushers whilst on the phone, they tailgate other smaller cars, they use enormous amounts of petrol, they block up roads, they look threatening...how can people choose to drive something like that? Do they have ha a selfish gene, do they think they are just better than other people so rules don't apply to them, or are they just thick?

(NOTE this is only about town drivers, i appreciate that they are useful in the countryside).

Sometimes, I think Jeremy Clarkson is winning.

stripey- I do see you point but if people choose to spend there money on higher car tax then so be it, as will many normal car drivers!!

My husband and I own a haulage company and pay £1000's a year on road tax, we also contribute towards climate change as all the lorries are diesal BUT without companies like ours YOU would have no roads to drive on, we also need a 4x4 to get in and out of landfill sites,quarries etc

I agree with all the points about 4x4's in the city, I just feel people have a choice and should not be slated by others for it. We do live in a democrcay!

not talking about your 'kid' example, shiny, but i think needmorecoffee's friend lost her child.

AitchTwooh - I don't have one so how could I look stupid in it? I didn't raise the subject of a run over infant so it's not me using dead kids to win arguments.

And the models quoted were:

a) Smart car
b) Vauxhall Astra
c) Fiat Panda

Of course 4x4s need to be driven with care. But so do small cars. I note Quads post but ALL cars are extremely dangerous.

I've recently been driving a very low slung Rover. In school car park I could not see my friends 2yo walk past (but knew she was there because friend was also walking past). Surely the 'bumper is where the childs head is' depends on the height of the child as much as the height of the car. Or do toddlers not get included in the research?

I'm not looking to play devils advocate btw, I just want to point out the dangers that by demonising one type of vehicle, you take your eye off other poor road users.

pedilia, judging by this thread if we lived in a democracy then we'd all vote to get rid of them. how do you like them apples?

oh god, musicgirl, shame on you, truly.

Pedillia - then you have a very valid reason for having a 4x4 and thats fine.

I agree that we live in a democracy and people ahould be free to make choices. However it makes me sad when people are so self absorbed that they don't care how their choices impact on others. I also think in a democracy people should have the freedom to "slate" others for their choices if they wish.

Is this still going?

I drive a 4x4. I live on an island with no road to my house, just tracks, we have a farm and so need to be able to lug livestock trailer behind us...

That said, I get a total minter whenever I am in town with it... I am aware that it is a ridiculous vehicle to take to tesco, and I feel uncomfortable driving around with my baby seat in the back.

I like to keep it as manky and dung-smelling as possible so that I am not judged!!

ps - I drive extrememly carefully

Norksbride, i agree with you, there are other poor road users, and i do agree these should face equal condemnation.

According to The Sun, aitch, if we lived in a democracy, we'd also have the death penalty. And probably no more forriners either. I prefer Whig politics because I know what's best for everyone.

Lunch it is!

Inzidoodle was that 'yes' response to me

cleaninglady - yes my new mini will be gorgeous and I know you will be sooo of me!

Inzidoodle my ability to handle my job is not in question but thanks for your concern. Read my posts I will judge, i have seen it first hand, it is a choice you make with potentially devestating consequences, I won't change my opinion, neither am i on a one woman mission.

And I really do think that off-roaders do drive better than townie 4x4s, because if you can reverse park a trailer in thick mud, then Waitrose car park is a piece of piss.

Note to drivers of anything: Always, always reverse into car parking spaces because you are much less likely to hit a child backing into an empty space than backing out into a busy car park. And here the lesson endeth.

i also wonder if the people who do 'use' their 4x4s in the country also learn how to manage their cars better? that would seem logical. i'm not particularly offended by the sight of a working vehicle, but the mummies who drive around here are using them to attend emergency nail appointments for the most part...

x-post with the duchess, who i'm inclined to agree with.

and I certainly don't say that all 4 x 4 drivers are dangerous drivers, but safe drivers have accidents to, that is why they are accidents, none of us intend on having them. When your car determines the extent of the injury suffered then that responsibility lies with you.

Maybe a simple solution would be to have drivers pass an advanced driving course before being allowed to drive vehicles over a certain engine size? That would rule out the astonishingly inept 4x4 drivers I see every day. But would probably only encourage the spivs who might see it as a further boost to their status.

I actually think it is very sad that so many people have so little regard for others & are convinced that their image is more important than others' safety.

oo muppetgirl - what colour are you getting - I heart mini's I do!!!

How many DC do you have? will it be practical for ferrying them around? I would love one but wonder if I could manage after driving a Landcruiser for the last 3 years!!

Ah well....

I think it must be time to load my potentially-leathal-killing-machine-dog into my potentially-leathal-killing-machine-BMW and go for a walk....

Oh, what it's like to live dangerously

nope don't own a caravan, otherwise i would have stated that I like caravanning.

cleaninglady -the mine one 'sidewalk' it's got brown leather seats with british racing green paintwork. Fab fab fab. Wil be dh's station car and my go to town and pick up kids car.

Are stupidly excited x