A 6 year old died on tuesday (20.06.2017) in Dortmund (Germany) after she got hit by a car. According to first evaluations by investigators the driver was not at fault, as the child ran unexpectedly onto the road.
A (german) article about this shows a photo of the involved car:
http://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/ruhrgebiet/maedchen-nach-unfall-tot-100.html
Here comes the bitter taste: The car was an SUV. And SUVs are known to be twice as deadly as a normal car to pedestrians. If I were the driver I would partially feel guilty for the death of that child, even if I had behaved correctly on the road. You don't have to feel like me, but using an SUV in a city as your main car is reckless. And just because you were not the perpetrator of the accident, doesn't give you a moral pass, as - just statistically speaking - the drivers taste in cars heavily reduced the childs survival chances.
So next time you get a car, please not only think about your own safety! You may end up saving yourself from a feeling of guilt. And most importantly: a child could end up surviving a mistake instead of paying with its life.
Here are some reasons (beyond the typical pollution-argument), why you shouldn't get an SUV:
- death rates of pedestrian are more than double when colliding with SUVs (https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4462-suvs-double-pedestrians-risk-of-death/)
- SUV drivers are 11% more likely to die due to an increased sense of security (https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/17/business/safety-gap-grows-wider-between-suv-s-and-cars.html)
- they are a waste of money (http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/cost-car-ownership.asp)
Check out this Wikipedia summary about common criticism of SUVs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_sport_utility_vehicles
I also recommend this classic article about cars by the legendary MMM: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/04/22/curing-your-clown-like-car-habit/
And SUVs are known to be twice as deadly as a normal car to pedestrians
.
I call BULLSHIT.
I gave source in the article: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4462-suvs-double-pedestrians-risk-of-death/
don't care who said it.
that 's bogus.
a machine is only as dangerous as the idiot behind the wheel.
there are no dangerous machines.
only morons driving them.
and people who let their kids free range.
if you don't want to be hit by a moving vehicle
stay off the damn street when your walking.
What do you think about eighteen wheelers?
I have the feeling you are either in denial or missing my point. Have you ever seen a housewife drive an 18wheeler to yoga-class?
And have you never heard of software failures or mechanical errors in cars? People have died solely due to software errors, so you blaming individuals is just an easy copout without real arguments.
It's not just someone said SUVs are dangerous - studies have clearly shown this to be a fact!
There is a good reason we have seatbelts and airbags and ABS. These things save lives. And there are many valid arguments against using an 18wheeler to go buy flowers for your grandma or use an SUV as your everyday vehicle in a town with perfect road conditions.
I have no problems with big ass vehicles or their owners, especially if they are serving a real need or use case. But I do have a problem with how most consumers favour fancy but dangerous shit over the safety of their neighbours.
Sorry, but I find your comment disgustingly cynical and unempathic. A little girl died without any good reason and we as society are partially at fault if we keep on driving dangerous deathstars around town just to feel safe and special.
and I have a problem with YOU thinking that YOU "have a problem with how most consumers favour fancy but dangerous shit over the safety of their neighbours..
who gives a good god damn what you think?
what makes you special?
ever hear of freedom of choice?
(note: that's not just freedom to kill babies)
I understand your position. All I asked for people to think more about the safety of others before buying their next car. How come you feel threatened by that? Just a little bit compassion for others - is that too much for you?
I just expressed my opinion freely. How do you even come to the conclusions that I think I'm some kind of special snowflake?
By law you are forced to wear a seatbelt. Are you having a problem with that too? There is no freedom of choice as we are not living in anarchy and the law constantly limits our choices. Your freedom of choice is an illusion. And I never even asked people to be restricted any further, I asked for voluntary selfrestriction by reflecting on some egoistic and unneccessary behavior.
I think you're a bigot.
based entirely upon what you wrote.
you think you have some god given right to tell other people what to think and do.
my opinion based upon what you wrote.
in reality you probably love kittens.
Congratulations @bew! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honnor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPBy upvoting this notification, you can help all Steemit users. Learn how here!
Congratulations @bew! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honnor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPBy upvoting this notification, you can help all Steemit users. Learn how here!
sangat alay
Congratulations @bew! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOP