More 4x4 deaths

[Catso]

I see on the BBC news site that a mother has been killed by a rampaging 4x4. She was walking on the pavement, with 2 kids, and was hit by the vehicle. The kids are hurt, but fortunately should be OK.

Why are these vehicles even being driven in built-up areas? Isn't it time these totally unnecessary killing machines were banned from urban streets?

[jake-the-peg]

And I suppose she'd have been OK if she'd been hit by a 2 tonne Bentley?


This doesn't sound very well thought out to me

[cherryelm]

This lady was not killed as a result of a 4x4 being driven responsibly it was involved in a police chase so presumably it was being driven at speed erratically in what is a very built up area. I think we can also suggest it was either stolen or being used in the commission of a crime.

[Whickerman]

Cars of all types can be used to kill people.

As can motorbikes, planes, cattle, horses, toilets(!), electricity, water etc.

Can hardly ban everything that could be a potential threat.

[admarlow]

Cars don't kill people drivers do...

[ugly_bob]

sorry Catso, as much as urban 4x4s p!ss me off, I don't think this tragic accident can be blamed on the fact it was a 4x4 being driven. Try getting hit by anyting that comes flying onto the pavement while being chased by police and see how you get on.

[Catso]

But her injuries would not have been so serious had she not been hit by a huge 4x4. They are notorious for the damage they cause to pedestrians. She might well have survived. And they are less controllable and manoeuvrable than ordinary cars, so she might not even have been hit at all.

[sp1814]

The fact that this was a big 4X4 actually could've been a contributory factor in the driver losing control.

I've driven one before, and unless you're careful with the way you chuck them about, you can completely lose control.

If some young inexperienced car thief was driving one in a chase, then the fact that the driving dynamics differ from a 'regular' car may have been an important factor in him losing control.

[jake-the-peg]

Injuries sustained by 4x4 collisions are marginally less severe than vans and as I pointed out earlier probably similar to some luxury cars.

Fancy getting hit by this?

http://www.atspeedimages.com/limerock_2004/con cours/rolls_royce_phantom.jpg

[jake-the-peg]

If you suggested a weigh limit for domestic vehicles you'd catch that sort of case miss things like 4x4 fiat pandas and generally sound less partisan!

[admarlow]

I would if i could have the car after!!!

[Catso]

No, I wouldn't jake, but how many times do you hear of serious injuries being caused by Rolls-Royces?

I agree about vans, though. However, there is a valid reason to have vans (and lorries) - they are doing a job. 4x4s are just fashion accessories.

[admarlow]

...unless you like in the country where you may need a 4x4 for fords (the crossings not the cars ha ha ) and muddy roads and snow.

[ugly_bob]

admarlow - there's not much excuse for them most of the time in the country either. Most of the country 4x4s never go off road either.

[jake-the-peg]

A vehicle is safe or it is dangerous. You can't ban 4x4s but allow Bentlys on the grounds that not many people use them!

There are more road accidents in non-4x4s (because they are more common) your logic would therefore suggest that we should ban non-4x4s!

[teag1rl]

Not really well thought out. I live in the sticks, have 4x4. Banning them from urban streets would mean we couldn't get our shopping. I see the point you are trying to make, but not all 4x4's are fashion accessories. Now if bull bars were banned-that would make 4x4s a less dangerous vehicle to get hit by. There was some debate a few years ago, not sure of the outcome, but I guess they weren't banned as I see plenty about.

[horsestache1]

I only wish I did'nt have to drive one as they are expensive to run, but how would I safely pull my horse box, harrow my fields, drive through muddy entrances etc, And yes I do take my child to school in it, surely I cant be expected to have two cars.

As has been said its not the car thats the killer, but the driver. Maybe if the police had held back a little this tragic accident might not have happened.

Also statistically there are less accidents in 4x4,s than in hight performance cars or motorbikes, do you want them banned as well?

[Catso]

Not at all jake, you're deliberately misinterpreting what I said. There would be perfectly sound grounds for banning one type of vehicle and not another if one type caused more injuries than the other (in proportion to their usage).

EG if there were 2 deaths per 100,000 miles caused by Rolls-Royces and 20 deaths/100,000 miles caused by 4x4s, then how can you say that would not be a basis for banning 4x4s, but not RRs? (Totally made up figures)

horsestache, I repeat the point I made earlier: if it hadn't have been a big 4x4 then a/ the accident might never have happened b/ her injuries would probably have been less severe. And in more general terms, yes, 4x4s might have less accidents than other vehicles, but when they do, the injuries (especially to other parties) are more severe.

[smithers]

I agree catso. If I had to choose between being mowed down by a ford focus or a ford maverick I'd take the focus every time as I am sure we all would (unless you have a death wish)

[RATTER15]

Catso, that is the most ridiculous question I have seen on here, (well nearly) A killing machine!! should be driven in built up areas!!! Oh come on get real!!!, put up a reasonable argument and some realistic fact and you may be taken seriously.

Yes if a 4X4 truck hits you, its going to flatten you, no doubt!!
But generally speaking, most 4X4 drivers with all their faults don't knock people over very often, that's left to the 17-25 year old in these fancy raced up custom cars and who always claim to be the best drivers in the world, drunks and crooks.