Minicars compromise safety of drivers
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Opinion
By 2010, the Tata Nano will reach U.S. markets and instantly become the cheapest new car available at about $2,200.
Other cars already on the American market, like the Smart Fortwo, get up to 45 mpg. This appears to be a good solution for car buyers wanting to take advantage of low prices while trying to find a car that gets decent gas mileage.
Many students also agree that they are a great alternative to large SUVs and can help reduce harmful greenhouse gases.
This higher gas mileage is certainly a benefit to these minicars, but it just can't outweigh the risks of being airborne during a crash with a mid-sized sedan.
In an ideal world, we could throw out SUVs and replace them with tiny, fuel-efficient cars - or better yet, cars that are run on an air-compressed engine.
Unfortunately, this technology is only in the making and may or may not be released on to the market in the next few years.
As for the small, fuel-efficient cars, the American highway and love of the SUV does not mesh well with the idea of tiny cars.
Europeans are accustomed to gas prices that are routinely about double what consumers pay in the United States, so small cars have long been much more common.
Minicars are a superb option for those brave enough to try them, or to try to confine them to in-the-city driving. But for the most part, a car that can't survive a 40 mph crash with a sedan just doesn't seem like a good idea on the American roadway.
What does need to be pushed, however, is a higher mpg requirement for all new vehicles made by American companies and further research into alternative fuels.
Trying to save the environment, even one small car at a time, is more than commendable. But when the car is still dependent on oil and can't meet proper safety inspections, other options need to be considered.
Other cars already on the American market, like the Smart Fortwo, get up to 45 mpg. This appears to be a good solution for car buyers wanting to take advantage of low prices while trying to find a car that gets decent gas mileage.
Many students also agree that they are a great alternative to large SUVs and can help reduce harmful greenhouse gases.
This higher gas mileage is certainly a benefit to these minicars, but it just can't outweigh the risks of being airborne during a crash with a mid-sized sedan.
In an ideal world, we could throw out SUVs and replace them with tiny, fuel-efficient cars - or better yet, cars that are run on an air-compressed engine.
Unfortunately, this technology is only in the making and may or may not be released on to the market in the next few years.
As for the small, fuel-efficient cars, the American highway and love of the SUV does not mesh well with the idea of tiny cars.
Europeans are accustomed to gas prices that are routinely about double what consumers pay in the United States, so small cars have long been much more common.
Minicars are a superb option for those brave enough to try them, or to try to confine them to in-the-city driving. But for the most part, a car that can't survive a 40 mph crash with a sedan just doesn't seem like a good idea on the American roadway.
What does need to be pushed, however, is a higher mpg requirement for all new vehicles made by American companies and further research into alternative fuels.
Trying to save the environment, even one small car at a time, is more than commendable. But when the car is still dependent on oil and can't meet proper safety inspections, other options need to be considered.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
planet automatic
posted 4/22/09 @ 4:36 PM CST
Minicars does not compromise safety.
Speed Kills .
Instead of souped up highways with muscle cars, high horsepower -that is sooo desired in the us. (Continued…)
the_bob
naffel
posted 4/23/09 @ 1:49 PM CST
I miss my Ford Festiva. It got 60mpg out of the box, and eight years later, it was still getting 50mpg. Getting 45mpg from a Smart car is a joke.
I was quite safe in my Festiva. (Continued…)
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