Our
View: Big cars too big for small roads,
go away
In America we say, “Bigger is better.” This attitude pervades our
culture. Super-size me. Build the tallest tower. Construct a new
super Wal-Mart.
Maybe we’ve adopted this standard because our country is rather large,
area-wise and population-wise, and incredibly diverse in almost every way.
But sometimes we go too far. Consider the case of the all-American sport utility
vehicle and other large non-commercial vehicles that are too big for their own
good. These examples of motorized madness are doing us harm.
They serve to please the selfish ego. They guzzle gas like alcoholics drink whiskey.
They crowd our roads and freeways with their oversized bodies.
Worst of all, they usually take more than one allotted parking spot or take one
completely as to make parking next to them hazardous.
Some oversized cars that need serious attention: the Toyota Tundra, Chevy Avalanche,
Ford Excursion, some minivans and, of course, the infamous tank-like Hummer,
popularized by our own Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Here in Southern California, a region with more cars than anywhere else, there
are too many big cars on small roads, roads that were built back during the population
explosion here some 50 years ago. Cars were smaller then and roads were made
to fit them. As cars got bigger, unfortunately many of the old roads stayed the
same size.
The 405 Freeway is notorious for this. Its lanes are rather narrow, causing large
cars to take up a considerable proportion of each lane. Combine already little
space with its frequent traffic and there is even less space to use. Any form
of maneuvering becomes worthy of NASCAR.
Many streets here in Long Beach are narrow as well. Seventh Street, at times,
barely has enough room for two lanes and side street parking. It’s a wonder
there aren’t more collisions into parked cars.
Big vehicles are simply not meant for crowded places like Southern California.
Using a large vehicle in a small, rural town with empty roads is one thing. Driving
your Toyota Tundra on Interstate 5 during rush hour is another. You’re
just annoying everyone else.
Also of note: large vehicles consume large amounts of gas, which potentially
can contribute more smog to our air. If anyone is going to listen to
President George W. Bush on anything, listen to when he points out a need for
alternative
sources of energy and less American gas consumption.
That means you, big vehicle driver.
There are viable small cars that are safe, economical and relatively inexpensive
like Toyotas, Hondas, Mini Coopers, etc. These are easier to park and get better
gas mileage.
Though big cars are pretty cumbersome, we’re not advocating making really
small cars like those commonly found in Europe. There has to be a good medium
between oversized Americana and pathetically small European vehicles.
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