Suv Consequences

SUV Consequences

Cheap gasoline and the urge for a dependable and roomy vehicle, contributed to the creation of SUVs (Sport-Utility Vehicles), some of the most popular vehicles on wheels in the 1990s and current 2000s. Now with oil prices high, the gas-guzzling SUVs are popular targets for critics. SUV refers to several different brands of light trucks that are commonly used as a family vehicle. Many people who drive SUVs say they’re sturdy and dependable all-weather vehicles. Critics however, note several problems with SUVs, and say that they have a large effect on the people of The United States. With the increase in SUV popularity throughout the United States, there have been several more negative effects laid upon SUVs than positive ones.

Changes in America’s culture can be credited as one of the main causes, which have helped increase SUVs in the United States. Marketed as fashionable, sporty and safe vehicles, the SUV's popularity has skyrocketed. As stated in an article on the cbs.com website, “SUVs accounted for 25 percent of the new vehicles sold in the US in 2002”(Jones). The beliefs of many Americans is that big, expensive, and gas consuming vehicles are much cooler than little gas savers. American’s enjoy powerful vehicles that include four-wheel drive and have a large-seating capacity for them. This being said, it is much more socially acceptable to have a large and powerful GMC Suburban in our society, than a weak 2-wheel drive Dodge Caravan.

The typical minivan in America is now the large SUV. SUVs have claimed the family market for vehicles, and have almost made the family minivan obsolete. Another reason SUVs are increasing is that Parents find a nicer and more powerful SUV to be more accommodating to their mid-life crisis, and other maturing issues. Not only are SUVs better looking and more powerful than minivans, they can also haul as many, if not more people. A family may also be more motivated to purchase an SUV over a minivan, because of the SUVs wide range of capabilities.

Another reason for the increase in SUVs has resulted from the SUVs talent of performing wide variety of tasks. People find SUVs friendlier to the outdoors than other vehicles. Individuals can tow trailers behind their SUVs, pull boats, or just use the four-wheel drive capabilities to go skiing or snowboarding. They are also much more roomier than trucks and generally ride much smoother. People may also choose to buy an SUV because they can pull objects with much more power than the majority of any other vehicle.

SUVs are labeled as “Kings of the Road” or safe vehicles. They generally include four-wheel drive; which yields a better traction to the road and nicer handling. The weight of an SUV is also much more than that of a small compact car. This means that it is much safer to be in when a collision accident occurs. These stated reasons have helped lead to the increase in SUVs throughout the United States.

With the increase in SUVs, people no longer need two vehicles to complete their necessary jobs and tasks. The SUV can do it all! It enables parents to haul numerous amounts of kids like a minivan, tow or haul necessary items like a truck, and go off-road into the mud or snow like nothing else! The increase of SUVs has definitely provided the consumer with many more options and variety to their lifestyle.

While the increased SUVs have created some very fun and exciting options for consumers, they also have many negative effects on them. Even though SUVs can be arguably safer for the people who drive them, they can also create a danger for other drivers on the roads. SUVs weigh a substantial amount more than cars, and create an even more deadly event for opposing drivers. When a five thousand pound SUV collides with a two thousand pound car, the results can be deadly. SUVs have definitely created more driving hazards throughout the already troubled roads of America.

While most SUVs are labeled as being safer than cars, there have been reported tire problems on SUVs, which have proven to be fatal to drivers of them. According to tiredefects.com, “A reported forty-six people were killed because of the defective Firestone Tires”(Sanders 1). Many people blame the Firestone Tire Company for these fatalities, while other people blame it on the awkward size, weight, and clearance that the SUV presents. The reason that these defective tires proved to be so deadly, according to tiredefects.com, is because “When a tire goes flat during a high speed, Tripping of the vehicle can occur, thus resulting in a rollover if sufficient amount of sideway movement occurs in a grass or dirt median to actually trip the vehicle and launch it into a rollover”(“Tire” 1).