I apologize to those I offended. I did not mean to be unfair or
insulting to anyone. I too have owned and driven 4x4's in many parts of
the world when I needed one. You are correct that they are not only
useful but can increase personal safety in many conditions. However
the sensitivity that many SUV owners express is well earned. Here in NA
the vast majority are owned by people who rarely drive out of their
comfortable suburban habitat except for fun. The increased use of them
in this context has added a measureable (10%) increase in the use of
fuel in automobiles. They have also been shown to be less safe in these
conditions because new/ less experienced drivers treat them like they
would a car when they are purpose vehicles. Anyone who has used/uses
them properly, appreciates their increased roll risk, greater distance
to stop etc inherent in driving one. I currently live about 35km
outside of my community and in the winter (we get heavy snows and it
easily gets to -30C) one of the greatest hazards I encounter is not
poor conditions but rather busy suburbanites racing to and from town in
their SUV's (including all wheel vehicles) forgetting that these
machines may feel a lot more stable in the snow at speed but that they
take just as long to stop. Popular advertizing for them promotes their
reckless and inappropriate use on and off road and a wealthy population
buys into the myth at a cost to all of us, particularly those who have
a legitimate need for them. Its most unfortunate that the rapid
increase in the 'misuse ' of a very useful type of vehicle has sparked
such a huge negative response to a very useful tool. Perhaps I should
have noted that the use of 4x4 instead of SUV indicated that the owner
actually lived where he/she needed it. I owned and used my first , a
Ford 250, over 30 years ago in the coast mountains. It made a huge
difference to the well-being and safety of all of us. I only drive a
small car now as thats all I need and mileage is better by a factor of
5. On paved roads safety is the same, unless I get plowed by one of
them.
Bob
On Feb 2, 2005, at 2:20, James N. McBride wrote:
>
> I took it as a nasty dig at anybody who had the audacity to use
> four-wheel-drive to go someplace regardless of the circumstances.
> There have
> been many of those comments. Just because some of us live in the
> mountains
> does not mean we should be deprived of useful transportation. We all
> have
> different needs but some do not seem to recognize that. /jmac
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx]On
> Behalf Of Chris Barker
> Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 11:43 PM
> To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [OM] Re: OT For the 4X4 Listees
>
>
>
> James
>
> I took it as a light-hearted comment (using skis instead of a motor
> vehicle). And Robert did not suggest closing roads. I suppose he was
> merely questioning the automatic reliance on a machine when there are
> other more eco-friendly methods of transport available for short
> distances.
>
> Global warming has come to the UK and we don't get snow where I live
> (:-(), but if there were as much as that I might have kept my rather
> expensive ML270 diesel 4 x 4. As it is, I have been able to dump it
> for a much more reliable little BMW 320d, saving myself money for
> diesel and the world its fossil fuels ...
>
> Chris
>
> On 1 Feb 2005, at 21:58, James N. McBride wrote:
>
>> If we abandoned all roads every time there was a little snow, life
>> would
>> come to a screeching halt. To not use "your" road because it might
>> disturb
>> the snow is nonsense. It was a totally lame comment especially since
>> the
>> responder had no knowledge of the situation. Perhaps he can ski or
>> snowshoe
>> without making a mark but I doubt it. He can also perhaps walk on
>> water.
>> Some roads should be left undisturbed in wet or snowy weather. The
>> decision
>> should be based on meaningful criteria by knowledgeable people though.
>> /jmac
>>
>
>
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________________________
RT McFetridge
Ottawa, Canada
E: rmcfet@xxxxxxxxxx
E: rmcfet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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