Full article here.

http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_01_12_a_suv.html

Drivers of the tiny Jetta die at a rate of just forty-seven per million, which is in the same range as drivers of the five-thousand-pound Chevrolet Suburban and almost half that of popular S.U.V. models like the Ford Explorer or the GMC Jimmy. In a head-on crash, an Explorer or a Suburban would crush a Jetta or a Camry. But, clearly, the drivers of Camrys and Jettas are finding a way to avoid head-on crashes with Explorers and Suburbans. The benefits of being nimble--of being in an automobile that's capable of staying out of trouble--are in many cases greater than the benefits of being big.

 

I found the same in some statistics that I ran across, where a Honda Civic had a lower fatality rate than a Chevy Suburban. Since the data was arranged by type and make, the authors commented that other factors confounded the results, such as the type of drivers that were attracted to certain vehicles. As an example the Camero rated among the worst, and full size 4WD pickups tended to rate poorly due to younger males in rural areas getting in wrecks on weekends, probably due to drinking.

 

Commonly referred to as "BUBBA".

 

Who's Bubba??

 

LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES.........and big bumpers may save your own.....

 

back when i was in drivers ed classes [7 years ago] the instructor asked the class what would be a safer vehicle to impact a wall in. 1. honda civic, 2. army tank. i said tank and according to him, i am wrong, but after stating my case to the class, the class said i was right, and he refused to accept my answer. i also got the answer wrong to "what to do if your accelarator sticks full down?" i said clutch it and let the engine hit the governor/rev limitor. his answer was shift it to neutral. i was wrong cause his "test case" sample car was an slushbox equipped vehicle, and didn't state so... the teacher was an **** and was pro econobox vehicles, and against everything bigger than a minivan..

 

It's called young drivers with little experience in newer vehicles who want to impress young ladies with their zealous behavior. The WHP call it overcompensation. Not using seat belts and alcohol are contributing factors.

I call it a tremendous waste of life.

 

I hate that line of reasoning.