4x4 do you own one and do you get hostilities from other drivers

[Blueglass]

I have just aquired one and get constantly picked on. And before you ask it is not my driving

ah blueglass, you return!

and talk bolleaux

Of course individuals should be penalised if the cars they choose have a greater impact on roads, pollution and other road users. Would just be part of the informed decision you make when you buy a car.

Would make sense to have a car-specfic tax perhaps. To make allowances for SUVs that don't use excessive fuel/spit out excessive emissions. And to take into account the smaller sports cars that do the same.

But personally, the environmental impact is not the only reason I don't like them. Comes back again and again to safety. Personally I think it's pretty selfish to buy a car on the grounds that it's safe for your passengers, while completely disregarding the implications that that decision can have on the safety of other road users.

Agree that classic cars should not be exempt from tax.

It's not just car drivers - cyclists & other road users also appear to be maniacs, yet they are the ones most at risk so one would think they would be more careful! I was following a young boy on a scooter who was quite frankly just pissing about on the road rather than just getting from a to b, swerving all over the place, getting to a straight bit of road & then going in the middle of the road & preventing people from overtaking.

Whether we're driving a 4x4 or a Fiesta he's still likely to get seriously injured whatever .. it all depends on the speed as well as the size & other road users also need to take responsibility for their actions. Not saying he deserves to get hurt, but I really wouldn't be surprised if he ends up hurt.

People in 4x4s do pay for it - they pay more tax & also use more petrol so pay more tax that way.

I would say that probably all cars are far safer for the passengers than the pedestrians, as a bulk of accidents are involving two cars or more, rather than a car & a pedestrian, so you can't really build something that will save a pedestrians life but cause you to get crushed up if you hit another car.

Having said that I do know of cars with panels which are intended to protect people, but only very few - unless they are just poorly advertised as pedestrian friendly.