[Cronos]

If you were ever 20 something & single, & you went to buy a vehicle, was safety your primary concern? Was heightened visibility a must have? Or, as in my case, was it how cool & sexy it looked? No, I don't see there ever being a “height” war among drivers.

you're right in a way, but I think that being "taller" than others and being able to intimidate someone in a SMART car also would play a role, wouldn't you agree?

[Mister Da]

Intimidation is in the mind of the intimidated.

Anyone who is intimidated by other vehicles/drivers in traffic needs to stay out of traffic & avoid rush hour.

Do I think SOME people buy hummers & the like to intimidate? Yes, but that attitude is so juvenile, & juveniles are unfortunately necessary to continue our species.

True story:

When my buddy's son turned 16 he really, really wanted a 4x4 truck. All his buddies had one, & they went “muddin” every weekend. The son got a nice looking used sedan instead.

Well, after several months the son told his dad he sure was glad he didn't have a 4x4. Most of them had trashed their trucks, with big repair costs, & then last summer the cost of gas sent most of the trucks to the used car lot. Mommy & daddy had wised up, even if the boys had not.

In this instance, visibility is not the primary consideration for safety.