The Dangers of SUVs

We've collected many quotes, and linked to their sources, from articles that show just how dangerous Sport Utility Vehicles are on the environment and other people. You can learn more about the specific dangers, uneven emissions standards, tax loopholes and accident fatality statistics. Accident attorneys are well aware of these facts and are fighting tooth and nail to get at the Sport Utility Vehicle manufacturers for big money.

"'Fighting America's oil addiction with these standards is like fighting lung cancer by smoking 49 cigarettes a day instead of 50,' said Don MacKenzie, a Union of Concerned Scientists engineer."
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"Those up to 6,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (which includes passenger and cargo weight in addition to the weight of the vehicle) are known as "light light-duty trucks"; those that are 6,001 to 8,500 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight are known as "heavy light-duty trucks."
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"Most SUVs and pickups, and all vans, are permitted to emit 29% to 47% more carbon monoxide (CO) and 75% to 175% more nitrogen oxides (NOx) than passenger cars."
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"In the 10-year period during which Ford-Firestone related rollovers caused some 300 deaths, more than 12,000 people -- 40 times as many -- died in SUV rollover crashes unrelated to tire failure."
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"Most sport utility vehicles, mini-vans, and pickups are classified as "light trucks" and thus are regulated less stringently than passenger cars under two major laws--the Energy Policy and Conservation Act for fuel economy standards, and the Clean Air Act for emissions standards."
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"Most SUVs and pickups, and all vans, are permitted to emit 29% to 47% more carbon monoxide (CO) and 75% to 175% more nitrogen oxides (NOx ) than passenger cars."
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"The top U.S. auto-safety regulator said sport/utility vehicles and pickup trucks aren't safe enough due to rollover risks and consumers should think twice about buying them."
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It is estimated "that the tax incentive's application to SUVs cost the federal treasury $840 million to $987 million last year."
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"There is enough material and poor gas mileage in one SUV to make two safe and efficient modern cars that are more than adequate for most of our transportation needs."
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"It does seem woefully inadequate -- especially when you consider how many loopholes have already been driven through by light trucks and SUVs, which are currently allowed to average 7 miles per gallon less than regular cars. And the ultimate absurdity is that if an SUV is massive enough, it is entirely exempt from federal fuel economy standards. That's right, build one with a gross vehicle weight of over 8,500 pounds -- like the Ford Excursion or the new Hummer -- and the leviathan's lousy gas mileage doesn't even have to be reported to the government."
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