Solitha's Profile
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------------ Popper's paradox of tolerance: ------------ --------------------------- The backfire effect: ---------------------------- ------------- Did your own research, you say? -------------
------------ Popper's paradox of tolerance: ------------ --------------------------- The backfire effect: ---------------------------- ------------- Did your own research, you say? -------------
After nearly 20 years of emergency dispatching I think I can safely say that it isn’t the mass of the vehicle that keeps you safe. It’s the safety features built into every vehicle these days: crumple zones, air bags, seat belts, stiff passenger cages, etc. Over my time of service we went from rollover accidents being major incidents, to the occupants walking away without injury.
On the other hand, pickups and SUVs are getting so big and heavy that they are outstripping the protective ability of guardrails, collision barrels, and other public highway safety infrastructure. That is less safe for the driver and the passengers. These vehicles also wear the roads harder, resulting in more taxes needed to keep them in repair, and more vehicles of all types damaged by potholes.
However, there’s also the danger to anyone outside. Heavier vehicles with taller front profiles means pedestrians and bicyclists are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Other cars are more likely to be collapsed or crushed.
Maybe that last sentence is exactly your point… which means you’re stuck in a never-ending arms race of bigger and heavier vehicles until no one is safe at all.