Scott Whitmire's recent Other's Voices column spoke about driving being a fundamental right. It's my belief that driving is a privilege, not a right, and that the current and ultimate cost of this privilege is much greater than we realize.
The most disturbing aspect of this "fundamental right" concept gone awry is the current trend towards the use of trucks, vans, and SUVs as transportation. This trend is degrading our nations long-term security and economic strength, as well as the environment. SUVs are also a very poor choice from a household economic and safety standpoint.
Consider the economic and national security risks of our increasing dependence on foreign oil. During the last gas "crisis" we imported just 1/3 our oil ñ today it's 55% and within ten years it will be 2/3. According to government estimates, in less than 30 years we will have used up 90% of the planet's oil! As anyone who understands economic supply and demand knows, our kids and we are going to be paying a whole lot more for gasoline, literally and figuratively, as world supply continues to decline.
Are SUVs a wise household investment? It's no secret that manufacturers are making larger profits from fewer vehicle sales as a result of the SUV trend. Authorities on "real" four wheel drive vehicles point out how people are unaware of how technically inferior SUV's are, strictly from an engineering point of view, and how this would be far less outrageous if not for their high asking prices and huge profit margins. Some get downright nasty, saying "these lemmings buy millions of SUVs for no reason other than to fit a trendy image and look tough."
In terms of operating costs, an SUV that gets 15 mpg costs 11 cents to travel just one mile with gas at $1.60/gallon. Because they don't have the same emission requirements as passenger cars, they pollute up to 3-4 times more too. If you drive a 30 mpg vehicle, you're paying half as much for gas (5.5 cents/mile), and you're helping the environment too!
Speaking of the environment, transportation is the number one thing we consumers do that harms the environment (http://www.ucsusa.org/less/guide.top.html). Transportation causes the highest amount of environmental damage overall - nearly half of the toxic air pollution and more than a quarter of the greenhouse gases traceable to household consumption. Driving less and using a cleaner car are the best things you can do for the environment. Because cars cause so much harm, even modest changes matter. If the vast majority of the world scientists concerned about climate change and global warming are correct about the burning of petroleum being a primary cause - and the consensus builds daily to this effect - the economic consequences to all of us from more severe weather will be very expensive. A recent bipartisan poll found a vast majority of people want government to do more to reduce the threat of climate change. I think of the current SUV trend and I'm reminded of the famous quote "Ask not what your Country can do for you, but what you can do for your Country."
Sure, contractors and other professionals need trucks and vans. This is why they have lower smog requirements ñ officials agreed to delay more stringent requirements for such vehicles years ago, to help the industries involved. Over time, however, sales of trucks, vans and SUV's went from 16% market share to over 50%. One big auto manufacturer even shelved their work of the last three years, spent updating their most popular selling economy car, so they could spend the money getting SUVs to market faster. Why do people buy SUV's, trucks, and vans, when a station wagon would suffice? Why don't people just rent a truck for the odd occasions they need one? What kind of "statement" does driving one really make?
SUVs are used mostly as passenger vehicles and driven on conventional roads. According to Ford Motor Co., 87 percent of Explorer owners have never taken their vehicle off-road. The advertising for such vehicles tells us driving one will turn us from a "suit" into "mountain folk." But real mountain folk need to know about the consequences of driving an SUV, especially those who honestly care about real environment impacts as most of us up here do.
Many people buy SUVs for safety purposes, not realizing they are among the most hazardous vehicles on the road. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study shows that SUVs are more dangerous than mid-sized cars. There are 75 deaths for every million SUVs in accidents, compared to 48 for mid-sized cars. Half of all occupant deaths in SUVs in 1995 were caused by single-vehicle rollovers; rollovers account for 36 percent of the deaths in pick-up trucks and 19 percent in cars. I think of this every time I read about an SUV rollover accident in The Union. Further, these "mobile billboards" block the view of the road ahead for everyone behind them, as well as oncoming traffic (ever tried to turn from Pine onto Broad Street in Nevada City and one's parked on the corner?).
If you're concerned about Y2K, check out the governments' own assessments ñ the most likely shortage, disruptions, etc, will be with gas supplies, not electricity (http://www.msnbc.com/modules/Y2KInternational/map_nestframe.asp). Although the US appears to be well prepared for Y2K in most sectors, petroleum is "iffy." It's anyone's guess as to what Y2K will bring, but it would seem to be less oil, gasoline, and the services that rely on oil. If you're counting on a gas-guzzling SUV to whisk you to high-country safety early next year, you might be better off making sure you and your bicycle are in good shape.
The moral of the story is that driving is a privilege, not a right. Choosing your transportation thoughtfully is one of the most sensible things you can do ñ for your pocketbook as well as the future of your country.
Contact The Energy Guy