Until 2 weeks ago (2 weeks on Friday, actually) I drove a 1.0L, 50BHP Lupo! People with bigger engined cars forget that not all cars can pull... at all!
If I got stuck behind a truck at 40mph not only would I have to wait for a long, clear straight but I would also need to leave a gap between myself and the truck so I can take a run up to the back of the truck and launch my overtaking manoeuvre at 50mph. If I tried to begin my overtake starting at the same speed as the truck from directly behind it I'd never get past safely before the next corner/blind dip data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Now I drive a C2 1.6L VTS and things are much different, but I will never forget that some cars are dog slow.
You know the drivers on the motorways driving in the left hand lane practically on the hard shoulder because they're scared of faster moving traffic? They're the ones I hate...
Oh, OK then.......so why are certain vehicles banned from motorways?
Cheers,
Neil.data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Not disputing the rest of your comments; but purely from a safety point of view, the lookahead visibilty of a 4 x 4 in a rural area has seen me go and order one for the 1st time ever, (in the UK that is).
Cheers,
Neil.data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
To back up the Glimmer man.
I was brought up in NI and the 1 year restriction is an excellent part of the instruction period for new drivers.
Lets be honest, the vast majority of new drivers don't learn anything longterm, until they are driving for themselves. The sheer absurdity of letting a novice loose at up to 70mph in a vehicle that could cause instantaneous death (at those speeds), not just to themselves, but others, perfectly illustrates the reason for the 'learning period' restriction.
As much as sloweys on motorways infuriate me, someone with the R plate on the back does not incur any wrath at all, rather patience and leeway, (maybe we all should carry R plates!)
Cheers,
Neil.data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
It's quite a selfish point of view though as a mistake from you is going to cost other road users and pedestrians more damage...
That's just my point, I can see what's coming round the bends and react quicker.
Cheers,
Neildata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Viewing is good, I won't deny that at all. But generally, NCAP results for 4x4's has been a bit hit and miss (until recently on some models like the Q7).
The Range Poser/Rover for example, is the favourite 4x4 of recent times (especially for school runs in Cheshire), and NCAP results were good for those inside the car, but said:
"...But, unfortunately, the level of protection given to pedestrians proved to be dire" and "Just three sites out of 18 tested on the vehicle's front gave any protection. This is dire, and Land Rover needs to improve matters".
Other 4x4's received more or less similar comments due to the high nature of the front-end. While you are definitely going to be very safe in the instance of a crash as the occupant, the person in the other car/pedestrian will likely feel the brunt of the bigger 4x4.
I'm sure we've all seen one of those accident scenes where a family hatch has been decimated by something larger like a Discovery, which itself, looks almost new after the smash.
The problem with perceived safety in 4x4's is a mixed bag really, as the occupants are largely okay (some dash boards are known for causing severe leg injuries - what car isn't though?), but anyone else involved will likely suffer.
This is partly why I find 4x4's so ridiculous. If we all need 4x4's to feel 'safer', then what's the world coming to? Because then we'll need bigger and tougher cars to avoid the damage caused by regular 4x4's.
What's most annoying is that nearly everyone I know who's driven a 4x4 says they are just fantastic (and I don't doubt them for one minute either). But nearly all of those people say they have no need for one either!
Who says you are going to cause the accident though? data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Totally agree.
Motorcylists have to put up with a graduated licence scheme, so why not car drivers?
It's ludicrous that the only thing stopping a new car driver from buying a 400bhp Ferrari is their wealth.data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
This is exactly my point. The fact these are used on school runs is the worst possible scenario. You're taking your kids to school and another kid on his way to school, messing around with his friends and steps out onto the road in the way of a 4x4...
bear in mind the this could happen to your kids with one of the many others driving a 4x4...