Safety Campaign Turns SUVs Into Big, Hairy Beasts

Picture your SUV as a hairy, growling beast -- something of a cross between a buffalo and something from the Star Wars movies.

A new safety campaign launched Monday by governments from all 50 states wants you to picture the big vehicles as a creature known as Esuvee.

The monster is meant to remind people that driving a sport utility vehicle as if it were an ordinary passenger car can be fatal, according to a media release.

In 2000, rollover crashes killed 9,873 occupants of passenger cars and light trucks, almost one-third of the total deaths of occupants of these types of vehicles. Despite these disturbing figures, more than four in 10 Americans think they are safer in an SUV than in a regular car, according to a new consumer survey.

The $27 million, year-long effort is funded through a settlement with Ford Motor Co. according to a news release from the Iowa attorney general's office.

The program consists of events and initiatives designed to reduce SUV rollovers, particularly among younger male drivers who have the highest incidence of such accidents.

Check tire pressure monthly. Don't overload your SUV. Always wear your seat belt. Avoid abrupt maneuvers. Don't speed.

The mascot -- called an "undiscovered species" in media materials -- made its debut Monday at New York's Central Park Zoo.

In 2000, rollover crashes killed 9,873 occupants of passenger cars and light trucks, almost one-third of the total deaths of occupants of these types of vehicles. Despite these disturbing figures......

A five year old study based on passenger cars and light trucks?

Sounds compelling.

"In 2000, rollover crashes killed 9,873 occupants of passenger cars and light trucks, almost one-third of the total deaths of occupants of these types of vehicles."

Ok, I must be freaking dyslexic. I've read this over and over and its all gibberish to me?!?

In 2000 rollover crashes killed 9873 ...(blah, blah) cars & light trucks.
Almost 1/3 of the total deaths (9873) of occupants of these type of vehicles.

What is this jack@$$ saying? What type of vehicle?? Cars & Light Trucks, or Cars, or just Light Trucks?!? And what 1/3 of what?!?

*^&&% IDIOT gubmint, publik skool BURECTRATS. Learn composition dammit!

What are the statistics that SUVs are associated with more motor vehicle accidents, or with more serious injuries, than other vehicles?

Many people [myself included] buy them so that their family is surrounded by more metal to protect them in case of an accident. It is my RIGHT to make such a choice so as to protect my family. I CHOOSE to pay more money for that security. If other folks make the choice to purchase a smaller vehicle with less protection for their family, that is also their right.

I would like to compare the statistics on driver and passenger injury severity of small vehicles and SUVs. I would be stunned if there was data other than that that would show that the occupants of SUVs are safer.

Much of the anti-SUV crowd are environmental nazis determined to force me to buy a more fuel efficient vehicle. My choice however is to put my family's safety above fuel efficiency. My choice is to pay more money initiallly for the vehicle, and to pay more money per mile to keep my family safe. Please Mr environmental panty-waist, you choose your tree hugging lifestyle, and allow me to choose mine.

Some of the anti-SUV crowd are just the class warfare crowd who can't afford an SUV, and seek to limit me from buying one out of jealousy. To them I say: I own a 9 seat Chevy Suburban, and a Nine seat GM Yukon. I also own a 30 foot motorhome. I will use all of these vehicles as much as I want. Tough s**t if you dont like it.

Yesterday, my wife saw a Excursion on the freeway rollover 5 times and landed on its tires. All seven people inside were safe. Other than the windows being broken, there wasn't much damage.

OTOH, a family friend, who is a fireman, said that the injuries are pretty bad in minivans.

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