ALT-2 Is it Time for Suv Restrictions – No
Is it time for SUV restrictions?
When you are driving down the road and see a huge SUV, do you wonder how on Earth that person can drive that thing around? You aren't alone in those thoughts.
SUVs have a bad reputation.
SUVs have come to be the symbol of our western society today. SUVs are bigger than most people need a vehicle to be, they have lots of features such as 4-wheel drive that almost nobody uses anymore, and they drink gas like free drinks at a college freshman party! Its not much wonder people want bans and restrictions on SUVs.
Some people need SUVs
However, there are people out there for whom SUVs are the perfect vehicle. They need the size and space, the towing capacity, and the 4-wheel drive. For them, changing to another type of vehicle would be a step down and a big pain. If you place restrictions on SUVs you are penalizing these people with legitimate needs.
The less meddling by the government, the better
In general, it is better to encourage than forbid, discourage than ban totally. Consider this; would you rather the government tell you to change your car every 5 years, or would you rather have insurance companies jack rates up on cars older than 5 years? The first is the heavy handed method that makes people mad. The second is a more subtle way to influence people. Even though the insurance route is subtle, it deals with money. If you really want that older car then you can either pay for it, or forget about it. Over time, this will make people go down the road you want them to go down with less resistance, than the dictatorship from on high laying down the law.
Subtle pressures to steer people to other choices
That is what is needed here. Are SUVs hard on gas? Then charge a gas tax when they are purchased. Are SUVs unsafe? Then charge more on their insurance. Are they too big to be on the road? Keep shrinking those parking spaces at malls until SUVs have nowhere to park, or charge them for double parking spots. There are many ways to encourage people to buy something other than SUVs while still allowing people the freedom to choose. That freedom of choice is important to ensure we are a free society. If the government starts thinking it can tell us what is best for us with all parts of our lives, that freedom is totally gone. And it will be almost impossible to get back.
SUV restrictions? No. Putting dis-incentives on SUVs to steer people to other vehicles? That's a much better solution
