2 ms·

Does anyone else feel like it's almost always a pickup truck? This article^[1] that I found a while back claims occupants of a car are 2.5 times more likely to

Does anyone else feel like it's almost always a pickup truck? This article^[1] that I found a while back claims occupants of a car are 2.5 times more likely to die in a collision with a pickup truck than another car. It's an atrocity, and it's insane to me that it's almost totally absent from the public discourse. ^[1] https://www.iihs.org/topics/vehicle-size-and-weight https://www.iihs.org/topics/vehicle-size-and-weight

xvector 5y ago
There are no reasonable pickup truck safety regulations in the US. Pickup trucks are simply not safe vehicles for other individuals around them. Some are so large that you can't even see small children in front. [0] The front of most pickup trucks is literally a flat wall, whereas most cars and SUVs have to design for potential pedestrian impact and whatnot. If you get hit by a pickup truck you will be pancaked, but if you get hit by a modern car you have a chance of surviving. You can thank lawmakers acting on the whims of corporate lobbyists for this. [1] It makes my blood boil, how our elected representatives so casually throw away lives of their citizens. 90% of pickup truck owners don't actually need their pickup trucks, but are allowed to buy and drive these incredibly dangerous vehicles regardless. In turn, this causes an escalating arms race - everyone else feels the need to buy an SUV or other large vehicle. Vehicles get heavier, bigger, and deadlier. The cycle continues. Part of the issue is that it's part of the self-image of red-blooded American manliness to own a pickup truck. It's ridiculous and childish, but owning a pickup truck is seen as cool and macho throughout large swaths of the country. It will be almost impossible to pass safety regulations against pickup trucks thanks to this population. [0]: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/the-hidden-dangers-of-big-trucks/ https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/the-hidden-danger... [1]: https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.php?cycle=2020&ind=M02 https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.php?cycle=2020...
princekolt 5y ago
Because it is. Getting hit by a pickup truck is much closer to being hit by a semi than by a compact car. Not only the shape is similar, but pickup trucks can be multiple times heavier than cars.

xvector 5y ago

There are no reasonable pickup truck safety regulations in the US. Pickup trucks are simply not safe vehicles for other individuals around them. Some are so large that you can't even see small children in front. [0] The front of most pickup trucks is literally a flat wall, whereas most cars and SUVs have to design for potential pedestrian impact and whatnot. If you get hit by a pickup truck you will be pancaked, but if you get hit by a modern car you have a chance of surviving. You can thank lawmakers acting on the whims of corporate lobbyists for this. [1] It makes my blood boil, how our elected representatives so casually throw away lives of their citizens. 90% of pickup truck owners don't actually need their pickup trucks, but are allowed to buy and drive these incredibly dangerous vehicles regardless. In turn, this causes an escalating arms race - everyone else feels the need to buy an SUV or other large vehicle. Vehicles get heavier, bigger, and deadlier. The cycle continues. Part of the issue is that it's part of the self-image of red-blooded American manliness to own a pickup truck. It's ridiculous and childish, but owning a pickup truck is seen as cool and macho throughout large swaths of the country. It will be almost impossible to pass safety regulations against pickup trucks thanks to this population. [0]: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/the-hidden-dangers-of-big-trucks/ https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/the-hidden-danger... [1]: https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.php?cycle=2020&ind=M02 https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.php?cycle=2020...

princekolt 5y ago

Because it is. Getting hit by a pickup truck is much closer to being hit by a semi than by a compact car. Not only the shape is similar, but pickup trucks can be multiple times heavier than cars.