Research shows 4wd owners really are a menace

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/4wd-drivers-really-as-bad-we-thought/2006/07/09/1152383611511.html

[Note: London study not Oz, disparity in sample size consistent with
population ratios though]


FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE owners, already seen as a road menace, are more
dangerous than we thought, a study of more than 40,000 vehicles has found.

A person behind the wheel of one is far more likely to be wielding a
mobile phone while driving, and less likely to wear a seatbelt,
researchers say. They have concluded that four-wheel-drive owners take
more risks because they feel safer.

But that distorted logic is a threat to the safety of everyone on the
road, says Lesley Walker, a research associate with Imperial College
London's primary care and social medicine department.

Along with Australian researchers from the University of Queensland, Ms
Walker observed the drivers of 38,182 cars and 2944 four-wheel-drives at
three varied sites in London.

They found the 4WD drivers were almost four times more likely than car
drivers to be using a mobile phone, and 26 per cent more likely not to
wear a seatbelt.

Describing four-wheel-drives as "lethal weapons", Ms Walker said the
findings were relevant to Australian cities, where large 4WDs were
common. "There is no reason the risk-taking behaviour is not the same."

She said "breaking one law was significantly associated with increased
likelihood of breaking the other". Previous studies from the US, Britain
and Australia have shown that using a mobile phone while driving is
associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of having an accident.

That means drivers of four-wheel-drives are 16 times more likely to have
an accident than other drivers because they are four times more likely
to use a mobile while driving, she said.

"Although 4WD vehicles are safer in a crash, their owners may be placing
themselves and other road users at increased risk of injury," she said.
"They take the risk because they are higher up, they feel they can see
better … but the person in a car or the pedestrian on the road has a
much worse outcome."

A member of the Bushrangers Four Wheel Drive Club in Victoria said 4WD
drivers were used to the criticism, "but it doesn't sound right to me at
all. I wear a seatbelt, I don't talk on my mobile while I'm driving."

 

So in other words since its in another country, it has **** all to do
with australia?

 

Than who thought?

Or maybe idiots with little driving sense make poor car purchase
decisions. Seems a little harsh to blame it on "4wd owners".

City drivers *rolls eyes*

Clearly some objective research happening here...

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Ah statistics, the social stirrer's best friend.

That's what they feel ay? Maybe they're just freakin idiots who don't
think much at all. I do sit higher in my 4wd, but I leave more breaking
room, take corners slower, anticipate hazards with less confidence in
the vehicle's handling, than if I was in a road car. Then again, I'm
only on the road to get off road.

On the moto I buffer and expect not to be seen.

Riding/driving to the conditions, even in my lethal weapon.

Therein lies the difference - he's part of a 4wd club. You know what
they do in those clubs? Go 4wd'ing.

Heath "lethal weapon" Raftery

 

Predictable Biggus.

So all those studies on bike riders in the UK are irrelevant to Aust too
? I go the medical studies don't extrapolate well either. In fact
we're so different here that we should ignore the rest of the world
(unless it has something we want then we just go take it). American are
you ?

 

"The Hummer's basic statement is: "**** you".

"Hummer's own market research shows that the typical Hummer buyer is vain,
insecure, self-centered and has little concern for the consequences of his
or her actions on others."

This statement was copied from an article in "The Dog and Lemon Guide"
(Always good for a laugh)

Yes, I know that Hummers are a bit rare in Australia, but I think that there
are a certain percentage of drivers of large vehicles who fit the profile.

This can be attributed to quite a few four-wheel drive owners, yuppie
bullyboy types who buy these S.A.P.C.s (Suburban Amoured Personnel
Carriers) for ego gratification.

(B.C.S.D?)(Big car, small ..)

The profile for these seem to be middle class executive types, male or
female who love to run right up behind you and try to "push" you along.

I don't have a problem with MOST four wheel drive owners, just the ones who
stand out from the crowd by their actions.

MOST four-wheel drivers are just part of the scenery, going about their
business just like the rest of us.

I suppose it is a bit like all motorcyclists being labeled "Bikies" or
"Outlaws" except generally, when we get it wrong, we tend to take the
consequences.

 

<giggle>Heath, I think that's the problem - 4wd drivers breaking
stuff....

betty (sorry, couldn't help myself,
have had a tough week and it's only
bloody Monday and I am in
a silly mood)

 

"They have concluded that four-wheel-drive owners take
more risks......."

I'm in real trouble. I ride and I have a 4WD.

 

It's okay, motorcyclists are excepted because they only buy a 4WD if
it's absolutely necessary.

 

I've just brought a Wrangler so hope to reverse the odds a little lol
Lushy

 

Yeah but totally different risk profile innit ?

One's risk taking 'cos you think you're invulnerable, and one's risking
taking despite knowing you're vulnerable

I'd hazard a guess that bike riding 4wd owners are less likely to be
taking the "**** you i'm in a 4wd you can't hurt me attitude" just
because they have the shoe on the other foot when they're on a bike.
Could be wrong of course.

It was amusing in the truck on the weekend the number of 4wd drivers who
went to chop in on me or cut across me and then do the " ahh shit it's
not only bigger than me, it's all beaten up and dodgy looking so he
REALLY doesn't care" and change their minds.

JL

 

Gotta get to the dirt somehow.

 

So all those studies on bike riders in the UK are irrelevant to Aust too ?
Pretty much.. More concentrated areas in london compared to here.

ahhhhh one who believes everything the media tells him.. fool.

 

That so true Biggus, physics in Australia works in reverse than in the UK (cos we're down under, see) so down here small 2 door sheilas cars routinely smash large 4WDs to pieces whilst barely getting a scratch

I'll wait till next time some tainted figures come out on bikes and
you people jump all over them as lies, and what does XYZ country have
to do with us.. etc.

 

Well your excused from the 4wd stats then

 

...and act totally differently when driving them!

 

4WD drivers are law breakers and risk takers eh. Probably goes a way to
explaining why I did an illegal U-turn at a traffic light to get to the
bottle shop and then bought a carton of XXXX when I borrowed your 4x4.
I plead temporary 4x4 insanity !

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

I am currently driving a Kombi that's beat up and has a bull bar at both
ends, really great in traffic as no one wants to try it on.

Boxer

 

I witnessed some classic 4WD bravado a few weeks ago. It was on the
Pacific Hwy on the NSW north coast. The 4WD was only one of those
little Korean jobs. Driver was following a B double up the highway,
catching him gradually. Another B-Double was following both, faster
than both all in the left lane. The first semi moved to the right lane
to overtake a bus. The second semi moved to the right lane, still
closing on the first truck. The 4WD driver, now almost on the tail of
the bus then decided to pass the bus. He put his right indicator on,
and started edging right. By now the 4WD is only a metre or two behind
the first truck, and the second truck is about 2 4WD lengths behind the
first truck. THe 4WD driver baulked at first, then decided to change
lanes. He was right on the bumper of the first truck and the second
truck didn't give him an inch. I was watching all this from my bike a
few car lengths back. I backed right off to give myself more room to
dodge the debris.

I expected the 4WD driver to be a young person with no fear. Turned out
to be a grey-haired retiree. Baffled me how anyone (esp someone who
should be well aware of their mortality) would think slotting a tiny car
between two trucks was a good idea...

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

No, please Biggus. Tell me WHY these results are tainted and wrong.

These have nothing to do with Australian Driving/Road etc Conditions.
This was done in London... 1/2 way round the world.

How many variables would you like to consider? Heres just a couple for
u, I thought you were smarter than a band wagoneer, but obviously Im
wrong.

Weather?
Driving conditions?
Road conditions?
Road rules?
Roadworthy requirements?
% of 4wds to 2wds on the road?

How can you compare them to ours? A logical person wouldnt... How
often do you have 3ft of snow on the gold coast or in sydney or
melbourne or adelaide etc..?? Gettin the picture? Probably not.

Why not compare the amount of 4wd accidents in Antarctica to 2wds
in... that would really give you a chubby...

 

How do any of those things influence the degree to which a person will
be distracted when they're talking on the phone while driving? Is a
driver likely to be more distracted in the northern hemisphere on a
sunny day or in the southern hemisphere in the rain ?

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX