As many of you know, I am in the "big bad" trucking industry. These little smart cars maybe good for the cities, but I wouldn't recommend them to mix it up on the interstate and state highways with 18 wheelers whose GVW is 80,000 lbs moving at even 50 mph.
They will crush them like a tin can being run over in the roadway.
But hey, if people want to buy them, I say great. Keep in mind that most tractor trailer accidents involving four wheelers are usually the fault of the automobile, not the professional driver.
See this link:
http://refrigeratedtrans.com/mag/tra...ers/index.html
From the link:
Tractor-trailer drivers with a Class A license were deemed to be driving properly-or not at fault-in 71.6 percent of the fatal accidents in which they were involved. By comparison, automobile drivers involved in fatal collisions with trucks were found to be driving properly in 45.4 percent of accidents. Truck drivers continue to be the least likely to be drinking and driving. While 24 percent of automobile drivers involved in fatal accidents with tractor-trailers had been drinking, alcohol was a factor for 1 percent of truck drivers.
Even though the above is taken from a Canadian study, it no doubt would be mirrored here in the US. I can't coun't the many times I have heard that the 4 wheeler was in the right because it had the right of way. Great, the driver was right,
dead right.
That not withstanding, inattentive drivers make some mighty strange moves on the highways around the "big rigs."
See this link on inattentiveness:
http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/t...iler_accidents
From this link:
According to the report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 80% of collisions and 65% of near-collisions occur within three seconds of some type of distraction.
The study recorded some 2 million miles of driving during which 82 collisions and 761 near-collisions occurred. Inattention occasioned by reading, dialing a hand-held device, or applying makeup tripled the risk of an accident or near-accident while reaching for a moving object increased that risk by 900%. Drowsiness had been thought o be a factor in 10% of collisions or near-collisions. The study revealed the risk to be far higher, at 22% (400% increased risk). Cell phone use was the most frequent distraction observed.
The researchers expressed concern over the fact that activities like eating, drinking, and retrieving objects were more risky than previously believed as well as the fact that the presence of new technologies has further compromised driver attention.
Even the shortest period of inattention or distraction can have serious consequences. Thus, the NHTSA emphasizes the need for drivers to remain alert at all times.
Young drivers (18 to 20) were found to be 400% more likely to be involved in attention-related accidents or near accidents as drivers over 35. They were also found to be more likely to use poor judgment, drive aggressively, or engage in distracted behavior in high-risk situations.
So I would suggest: Caveat emptor. If one chooses to buy one of these little tin cans, then use it cautiously and wisely.