GearBits

Why single out trucks and SUV drivers as wankers? Granted they are easy targets, but I see just as many Toyota Corollas running red lights and acting like idiots. The SUV stereotype is way overblown. We all just need to pay a little better attention on the road.

I think the stereotype is deserved and it seems to be based on the misconception that vehicle size somehow imparts a magical combination of driving skill, right of way and the ability to ignore the laws of physics. I just smile and wave as I motor by a pickup stuck on an icy hill or an SUV that's blown through a stop on slick roads. I was less nonchalant a few weeks ago when a Type A in the SUV to my right made a swerving lane change in the rain, got tail happy and smashed into the dividing wall right behind me. And no I didn't stop to help since he nearly killed me and my family by pulling a bonehead move in the rain. If the SUV/Pickup drivers of the world ever understand that they are driving (aiming) top-heavy, overweight, poor handling vehicles, we will be a lot better off.

LMAO, Mitch! :-)

I find it interesting that large SUVs do not require any special license to drive. At least truckers have to have a specialized license to handle their vehicles and most truckers I've met are excellent drivers (when they are not sleepy).

SUV drivers contrast with small vehicle drivers because many of the former drive with a sense of security. They will literally drive over small cars. I don't know how many times I've heard someone state they bought their SUV because of "safety" issues. Everyone else is buying one so I need one to be just as "safe." Never mind making changes to your own driving habits would prevent much more accidents.

Will: Interesting comments...I've heard the same sort of arguments being made for owning handguns ("everyone else has one...so I need one too, for my own safety"). So sad.

I find it fascinating that the contributors of this technology oriented web site continue to write about about non-technical social issues. But what the hey, this is your site. When you do decide to write on technical issues it is quite good and relevant. I do agree that pick-up trucks have a certain type of driver that seems very aggressive and reckless excluding rural farmers. However, I have not seen that behavior with SUV's at least in the Southeast Michigan.area.

Odd. Each time I look at the Gearbits home page I see the words "Tech. Culture. Ideas." I never knew I was writing for a narrowly-focused tech blog. Am I wrong here Craig?

We have a similar label in Houston, it's a "102.9" bumper sticker. For a while, it was the American flag.

(102.9 is the local mexican radio station)

If you see this bumper sticker in the houston area put both hands on the wheel and BE READY FOR ANYTHING

MrB

Mitch, hey, man write about whatever floats your boat. I invited you, like Sam and Ken, to contribute because I know you spend a lot of your spare cycles thinking about technology but you also find other interesting topics that are worth discussing as well.

For better or worse, GearBits is a reflection of our (the authors') interests. While the majority of our posts are indeed related to technology, I see no reason to be apologetic for those that aren't. After all, technology is often significantly influenced by society, economics, culture, art, politics, and the environment, and those things are often influenced by technology. At some level, it's all related.