No more school run SUVs?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4900000.stm

Danger signs should be placed on 4x4 vehicles to prevent parents from
using them on the school run, teachers say.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers will vote on plans to put
warnings on dashboards.

History teacher Phil Whalley said 4x4s and sports utility vehicles were
more likely than conventional cars to kill children and the danger was
increased when bull bars were attached.

He urged the government to carry out further research into the risks.

'Chelsea tractors'

Mr Whalley, whose Hardenhuish School is in a rural area of Wiltshire,
said many parents bought 4x4s as "status symbols".

He added: "This is not about bashing the toffs in their Chelsea tractors
or town against country.

"It's not about environmental issues. It's about child safety and
education."

He said international research showed 4x4s were more likely to kill
small children than normal, lower, cars, as they tended to collide with
their chests or heads.

The driver's high vantage point also made it harder to see pedestrians.

Mr Whalley said UK accident figures did not differentiate between types
of vehicles involved.

However, US research showed sports utility vehicles (SUVs) were two to
four times more likely to kill or seriously injure people than cars, he
added.

Mr Whalley said: "The problem is that, when children are hit, they are
taking the impact on their main torso or vital organs.

"With small children, it could well hit their heads."

'Social attitudes'

He asked the UK government to carry out more research on the types of
vehicles involved in accidents.

In the meantime, it should issue drivers with details of international
studies, so they could make a more informed choice before buying a 4x4.

Mr Whalley said: "We don't have as many SUVs as countries like America
or Australia, but we have more pedestrians.

"We should have a notice on the dashboard to remind drivers."

Delegates at the ATL annual conference in Gateshead will vote on a
resolution to "seek to change social attitudes" to 4x4s and SUVs.

That vote has been delayed and will now take place on Wednesday.


--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham

On 11/04/2006 18:54, Tony Raven said,

"We should have a notice on the dashboard to remind drivers."

Well, that will solve the problem, won't it??? Actually, I thought bull
bars were already supposed to be being banned. What happened to that, I
wonder?

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Paul Boyd wrote:
On 11/04/2006 18:54, Tony Raven said,

"We should have a notice on the dashboard to remind drivers."

Well, that will solve the problem, won't it??? Actually, I thought bull
bars were already supposed to be being banned. What happened to that, I
wonder?

I could be wrong but I believe bull bars were banned as standard
equipment when a new car is supplied but that it is legal for 4x4
owners to have after market kits fitted.

Iain

Tony Raven wrote:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4900000.stm

Danger signs should be placed on 4x4 vehicles to prevent parents from
using them on the school run, teachers say.


However, US research showed sports utility vehicles (SUVs) were two to
four times more likely to kill or seriously injure people than cars, he
added.

I imagine the emissions from the things will also cause a few premature
deaths too; IMHO they missed the chance to make drivers think twice
about buying them when they increased the VED by less than half a tank
of guzzlene.

MartinM wrote:
Tony Raven wrote:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4900000.stm

Danger signs should be placed on 4x4 vehicles to prevent parents from
using them on the school run, teachers say.

However, US research showed sports utility vehicles (SUVs) were two to
four times more likely to kill or seriously injure people than cars, he
added.

I imagine the emissions from the things will also cause a few premature
deaths too;

Why more so that the filthier non-SUVs? Remember, only one of the 40
worst gas-guzzlers on sale in the UK is a 4x4 SUV.

IMHO they missed the chance to make drivers think twice
about buying them when they increased the VED by less than half a tank
of guzzlene.

How could they catch them all with VED without catching the dirtier non
SUVS? Some SUVs aren't even in the latest gas-guzzler band they are so
fuel efficient.

--
Matt B

"Matt B" wrote in message
...
MartinM wrote:
Tony Raven wrote:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4900000.stm

Danger signs should be placed on 4x4 vehicles to prevent parents from
using them on the school run, teachers say.

However, US research showed sports utility vehicles (SUVs) were two to
four times more likely to kill or seriously injure people than cars, he
added.

I imagine the emissions from the things will also cause a few premature
deaths too;

Why more so that the filthier non-SUVs? Remember, only one of the 40
worst gas-guzzlers on sale in the UK is a 4x4 SUV.

IMHO they missed the chance to make drivers think twice
about buying them when they increased the VED by less than half a tank
of guzzlene.

How could they catch them all with VED without catching the dirtier non
SUVS? Some SUVs aren't even in the latest gas-guzzler band they are so
fuel efficient.

--
Matt B

THIS THREAD BELONGS ON A MOTORING NEWSGROUP

Tony Raven came up with the following;:

History teacher Phil Whalley said 4x4s and sports utility vehicles were
more likely than conventional cars to kill children and the danger was
increased when bull bars were attached.

Out of twelve teachers at one of the schools I am caretaker of, two have
Landrover Discoveries. Another has a Subaru Forester and another has a
Mitsubishi L200.

Mr Whalley, whose Hardenhuish School is in a rural area of Wiltshire,
said many parents bought 4x4s as "status symbols".

How does he know that?

The driver's high vantage point also made it harder to see pedestrians.

High vantage point .. not able to see .. don't seem to correlate

However, US research showed sports utility vehicles (SUVs) were two to
four times more likely to kill or seriously injure people than cars, he
added.

Maybe because there is a much, much higher percentage of SUV's on Americas
roads.

In the meantime, it should issue drivers with details of international
studies, so they could make a more informed choice before buying a 4x4.

Heheheheh, like that would help. Maybe buyers of bicycles should be issued
with details of international studies into the wearing of helmets too ...

"We should have a notice on the dashboard to remind drivers."

Priceless. So now he wants them to look at the dashboard instead of what's
outside ....


--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules ..... Doh !!!

"Tony Raven" wrote in message
...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4900000.stm

History teacher Phil Whalley said 4x4s and sports utility vehicles were
more likely than conventional cars to kill children and the danger was
increased when bull bars were attached.


IIRC 'bull bars' were invented in Australia.
Too many Kangaroos were being hit and wounded by cars.
The Animal protection people demanded something be done.
'roo killers' were invented so that if you hit a kangaroo it
will not be injured and suffer for days. It will be killed outright!

If it does that to a reasonably large 'roo. What do people expect
from a small child?

Dave

Paul - xxx wrote:
Mr Whalley, whose Hardenhuish School is in a rural area of Wiltshire,
said many parents bought 4x4s as "status symbols".

How does he know that?

he probably took a look at the ****s sitting behind the wheel

wheelist Wrote:
Does anyone know where I can get bull bars for my bike?

I'm not satisfied with the purchase I get when cycling into small
children and would like to make more of an impact.

Add to that the kangaroo hazards on the trails of the UK and you can
see that I've a real need for such things.

"I need my 4x4" - yeah right.

Wheelist.

Get a swb 'bent with a large chainwheel :-)

Bryan


--
Bryan