American Trucks Are Pointlessly Killing People

[Robert59]

They're too big, and the reason is aesthetics, not practicality, writes Ryan Cooper

Ryan Cooper likes pickup trucks. He drove an old F-150 as a youth in Colorado and a Toyota Hilux while in college. He just doesn't like modern pickups, and his column at the Week isn't one about personal taste. Cooper makes the case that today's pickups are way too big, for no good reason, and thus too risky for the road. "This behemoth design trend—particularly the very tall, square front end seen in so many SUVs and trucks today—is both pointless and dangerous," he writes.

https://www.newser.com/story/294655/american-trucks-are-needlessly-dangerous.html

 

[Don M.]

I tend to agree. I have a nice mid-size truck...Dodge Dakota....and that is plenty big enough for me....and most people. Unless a person is using the truck as a means of employment, or hauling a large RV frequently, there is little need for some of these monster trucks. Where we live, over half the vehicles are probably full size pickups, and the vast majority are used for little other than routine driving. That, coupled with the ridiculous prices on some of these....over $70,000...just doesn't make sense.

The auto makers love these things, because they account for the vast majority of the company profits. Whereas a small compact car might only represent a 4 or 5% profit margin to Ford/Chevy/etc., a large F350 pickup will have a 35 to 40% profit.

 

[Becky1951]

"American Trucks Are Pointlessly Killing People" I read that and my first thought was Christine!

 

[squatting dog]

"American Trucks Are Pointlessly Killing People" I read that and my first thought was Christine!

n

 

[RadishRose]

Well, I feel if trucks are going to kill people, they should at least have a POINT!

 

[Sliverfox]

Ever stop to think we feel safer in a big truck?

 

[macgeek]

not sure how risky they are, but at at $50,000 or more, I cant afford one. even a used truck was out of my price range.

 

[Gaer]

My next vehicle wil lbe an old pick up truck with lower mileage than my Jeep. I'd DIE to get an old classic but probably out of my range. I like the old ones much better than the new ones! But, DECIDED! That's what I'm gonna get!