Originally Posted by
AlmostTrick
Guilty as charged. Here is my 2005 ZR2 Chevy Blazer.
<your picture here>
I bought this vehicle new nearly 6 years ago. Since I like to pedal to work, it only has 19,XXX miles on it. I chose this because I really like the look of the 2 door body, with 4 wheel drive for our Illinois winters, and enough space in the enclosed back for our dog, carrying stuff, or even to sleep.
I always practice safe driving techniques and follow all traffic laws, including the speed limit. It has been almost 30 years since I've been involved in a crash or received a citation of any sort while driving. I have nothing but patience and courtesy for even the most scofflaw and/or ninja of cyclists when behind the wheel.
As a cyclist and motorist, I am still unable to determine a specific group of vehicle operators as being worse than any other. I encounter good and bad in every vehicle type, even bikes. Non-idiot SUV driver checking out.
I too am guilty as charged. Except my SUV is a tad larger overall.
I tow trailers. A lot. I put 30k miles on the Yukon last year alone with about 75% of those having another vehicle in tow behind it on an open trailer (Boat or another car). Of those trips with the trailer I can only think of a handful that I made without at least one other person, and often with 3 or more additional people in the car with me. There are VERY few vehicles that can safely carry more than 5 people, and tow over 5,000 lbs at the same time. So, please don't lump me in with the "lifestyle" SUV driver. Some of us actually use the vehicle for it's intended purpose.
With that said, I think AlmostTrick hit the nail on the head. You can't assume all drivers of one particular vehicle are idiots. Furthermore whomever made the comment that every SUV has an idiot in it is simply showing his ignorance. There are a lot of us that need/want the utility that these vehicles provide, yet are not completely brain dead behind the wheel.