David Ho3d ago

The rise of larger vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks, with their taller hoods and larger blind zones, has contributed to a 75% increase in pedestrian and cyclist deaths since 2009.

Until we design better streets and ban these vehicles, people outside these vehicles will keep dying.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/06/21/us/trucks-suv-pedestrian-crashes.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sFA.I27_.RXJpxEQcJXSI&smid=nytcore-ios-share

The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and S.U.V.s

The vehicles on American roads have grown larger — and they are killing thousands more pedestrians, a Times investigation found.

The New York Times
Show threadCallisto3d ago

@davidho All I want is a nice, normal sized EV with AWD. There had been public presentation reasons I wanted a US badge, but those have dissipated and I'd take anything now.

But I'm not getting a Tesla, and those aren't UAW built anyway.

I was *this close* to a new Chevy Bolt until a bit of snow reminded me that I don't get to my house and back without AWD when there's snow or mud.

Everything else has a nose that comes up to my chest and I'm not buying one.

Show threadAdam Ek
@callisto @davidho Take a look at the Rivian R2 that just started shipping.
Jun 24 at 2:45pmWeb
Show threadCallisto1d ago

@adamek @davidho Thanks - smaller than the ginormous previous Rivians at least, can't find the hood height but with a flat nose I doubt it's much shorter than its big sisters.

I've resigned myself to hanging on to my '19 Prius for the remainder of my life. It's been a long time since I kept a vehicle past 100K (which it already is), but I doubt I have enough remaining time to take it over 130K.

Show threadAndyW1d ago

@callisto @adamek @davidho Kia EV6 and Hyndai Ioniq 5 offer AWD & a relatively low profile.

Honestly I don't think you need AWD with an EV. The battery weight helps provide traction enough.

Show threadCallisto17h ago

@andyw350 @adamek @davidho I'd hate to spend that kind of money for a vehicle and find out one February that it won't get up my lane in 4" of slush.

And once again ... those vehicles are way too big. I'm 5'3" and I won't drive anything with a nose height higher than mid-chest, I just won't :-/

Same friend's proximity sensors failed a couple of months ago & he backed into another car as a result. I'm not taking that chance when it's a child I can't see.