Owners of SUVs have been taking it on the chin lately for not repenting from their fuelish ways.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing that automakers raise the average gas mileage of SUVs from 20.7 mpg to 22.2 mpg. Thus, automakers are considering shifting to so-called "crossover" SUVs, modeled on lighter automobile frames rather than on the sturdy truck frames of standard SUVs -- a primary selling point.
Fuel efficiency is important. And, left alone, the evolving SUV market would have lead to vehicles that retain their rugged appeal with more efficient engine technology.
But instead of allowing for market forces, fanatics insist they know what's best. And rarely, if ever, does that ever turn out well. SUV drivers have been called everything from un-Christian ("What would Jesus drive?") to supporters of terrorists because they drive gas-guzzlers.
Now along comes Dr. Jeffrey Runge of the NHTS, who says SUVs pose a serious roll-over threat. They do -- if you drive them like a NASCAR racer. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that SUVs are safer than other vehicles, saving up to 1,225 lives annually.
Rather than tackle the far bigger issue -- U.S. dependence on foreign oil -- the feel-good fellowship that's attacking SUVs is swatting at flies. How typically liberal.
