Yesterday, Congressional investigators basically called the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's automobile crash tests, useless, because they do not accurately report the safety risks of SUVs.
SUVs are safe, as long as you are not in a rollover (30% of all fatalities), or in a car that an SUV is crashing into.
So, the government's crash safety tests hide the true dangers of SUVs, the government's EPA fuel economy ratings make SUVs seem 15% more fuel efficient than reality, and Congress refuses to raise fuel efficiency standards as foreign-oil, and oil dependence in general, become the greatest threats to American security.
Somebody's pockets must be getting lined.
Yes, some people need a large vehicle, but SUVs could be much better designed. One person's crash safety shouldn't come at the expense of someone else's life, just for a higher ride, or a false sense of security; especially, when the same hunk of steel causes the most road damage, spits out the most pollution, and guzzles tons of terrorist-supporting, economy-crushing, earth destroying foreign-oil.
Freedom of choice is important, but not more important than the welfare of the people. Hybrid cars such as the Ford Escape hybrid, or Toyota Highlander hybrid, are a step in the right direction for the American SUV niche.
Inefficient technology has many costs, and hybrids are changing the perception of what's possible. The Toyota Prius demonstrates that automobile technology can change the world today.
What are we waiting for?
