The overland craze is out of control

[Harvey]

View attachment 20673

So deaths have been generally dropping steadily since ~1980 until the pandemic.

I think certain types of crime have followed a similar pattern.

Wild Ass guess, the drop has something to do with improvements in vehicle safety and the rise... the pandemic kind of fucked us all up, and pissed us off?

There are some trends within I'd like to understand. Also curious if this year will be better.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Maybe, but judging people soly (sic) on the vehicle they drive is, at best, bush league, imo.

The reason people are judged for their vehicles is that typical rides have so little added utility beyond basic transportation that they can only be seen as an expression of one's personality and the way in which one wants to be seen in the world. I passed a McLaren which was driving slow in the ironically named passing lane on the Northway last week. Why did that guy feel the need to hold up traffic in a $250,000 car, if it wasn't just to prove he was richer than me? What use case is better served by an Escalade than a minivan, or even a hatchback with a roof box? It's all just conspicuous consumption to show everyone how you want to be perceived, so don't be offended when they judge you based on that perception.

@Campgottagopee you seem a little butt hurt because you think that people are judging you as an inconsiderate asshole who ignores the concerns of others just because you enjoy large vehicles, but I can assure you that I don't need to know what you drive to form a judgment.

You better stay inside, old timer.

Anyone who is fearful on the roadway shouldn't be there to begin with.

mm

 

[Tjf1967]

Why is it anyone's elses business what another person drives? The safety concerns are your problems.
Some people like fuel economy.. Some lifted trucks.. Other loads of HP.
A bunch of skiers talking about vehicles wastefulness is so obviously hypocritical but here we are

 

[Peter Minde]

One thing sales teaches you is to not judge. As soon as you do that, you're done, doesn't matter what you're selling.

On that we agree. Someone buys a $14.00 bottle of Josh cabernet, I treat them the same as someone who spends $2000.00.

 

[Harvey]

I haven't seen any data, but I bet that "styling" is one of the most important factors in car choice. Like it or not, most/many of us see our vehicle choice as a personal statement. Seems likely the guy in the meme is proud of his choice, that's why the pic was taken I'm betting.

For me, I care about reliability, efficiency/cost of operation and yes, styling.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Why is it anyone's elses business what another person drives? The safety concerns are your problems.

If what you drive causes safety concerns for others, it becomes everyone’s problem.
My ex was a traffic safety researcher. They’ve beaten the DWI thing to death, but they still need to justify their grants. Their next target will be touch screens and heavy vehicles.

mm

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Just to clarify, regardless of these last few posts, I’m really not all that concerned about big SUVs or safety generally. I’m more of a safety third guy.

mm

 

[MC2]

On that we agree. Someone buys a $14.00 bottle of Josh cabernet, I treat them the same as someone who spends $2000.00.

What’s wrong with Josh Cabernet? I kinda like it.

 

[Peter Minde]

What’s wrong with Josh Cabernet? I kinda like it.

Nuthin wrong with Josh if that's your jam.

 

[DomB]

Wild Ass guess, the drop has something to do with improvements in vehicle safety and the rise... the pandemic kind of fucked us all up, and pissed us off?

The pandemic took alot and who knows when we will know what it did to us socially.

Two anecdotes/notes: 1) when my father was in hospice right at the start of things, I was allowed to visit him. There would be almost no cars on some of these cloggy Long Island roads, and folks still would zoom past you and cut you off without a signal even if there were only two cars on the road - who knows why?

2) After the pandemic, I felt like there was a period of time when people appreciated being around people more. If feels a bit to me like people are getting angry/grumpy again. Maybe it never went away.