4WD and city streets

[Nathanrb4]

i just saw a story on ch10 news saying the 50% of australians want 4WDs banned on streets and that 60% thought a special licence should be required to drive one. just made me wonder where the sample population for this study must of been!
little hatch backs are great for driving around town but what happens when you`ve got a big family or wanna tow a boat or van around. i sort of agree that maybe they need to introduce so sort of special licence or training to drive a big 4WD (only after afew close calls with them around town) but what about the Rav4s, Jimnys or all the MPV getting around at the moment? my mums V8 statemsman is bigger, heavier and got a hell of alot more power than alot of 4WDs but she`s never had to do anything special to drive it around mayeb they need to think about that before complaining about 4WDs. as far as i`m concerned its not cars that cause crashes its drivers.

[Big_Kev]

The only reason current affairs shows air crap like that is because it creates conflict, and that sucks people in to watch there shit show. Just watch the show for a bit and you will see the same pattern. 8)

[megafish71]

Dead right Kev. It appears that the same narrow minded people that took our guns and fishing grounds off us also want to take away our 4WDS. I wonder what Toyota and Nissan think about this.

Ron

[Fishin_Dan]

Plus also imagine the business that would be lost through companies like ARB, TJM, etc... I can't see them (Or the car companies) ever allowing it!

[blaze]

I reckon half the people in Smithton would be walking if they banned 4x4's
cheers
blaze
ps watch the rego rise though

[Glug]

The big car companies are already running scared because of the flack they have been catching over 4WDs and the push for better public transport, that is why independant suspension is appearing across the 4WD market.(more stability on road, more car like) But, the negative publicity is also helping car companies to sell more soft roaders as the trend for "bigger is safer" is helping to turn them into family cars. And this means bigger profits for the car companies, so the whingers are actualy losing as more medium plus sized cars flood the markets because of them pointing out bigger cars are safer to carry kids in. Maybe the whingers work for the car companies?

The saddest part is, the people who value their independance most are hit the hardest every time by misguided fools that need to get a life, instead of trying to run other peoples.

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

maybe they need to introduce so sort of special licence or training to drive a big 4WD

lets test 'em all in a Landy Series 3 that'll sort the men from the boys, or should I say the deaf, Popeye armed, oil smelling studmeisters ....

chris

i long to brag about causing a "close call" sighhhhhh

[nomad]

I have owned 4 wheel drives for over 20 years, and I have got to tell you I have NEVER heard so much BULLSHIT about 4 wheel drives, as I have heard over the past couple of years. I really cant believe what I am reading and hearing. Four wheel drive owners,-- just keep quiet, and let these IDIOTS, in their little fantasy world, (who have nothing better to do ) enjoy their little moment of notoriaty. Maybe, if they bought a four wheel drive, and went and discovered how good OUR country really is ( off the beaten track ) they would stop their bloody complaining. OK, accidents happen, No one likes ANY accidents. I dont want them to happen as much as the next person, BUT THEY DO !!!!!! keep your eyes open, and be carefull. This is the greatest country on Earth, with FREEDOM second to none. Lets ALL enjoy it while we can. Life really IS too short. !!!!!!!!!

[cooky]

do-gooding wankers as far as I'm concerned.

I'm young and have owned sports cars, sedans, and 3 four wheel drives. I really can't see much difference - in fact I really think I'm safer in the 4x4's (visibility, speed, etc).

They talk about roll overs and increased breaking distance - if I haven't rolled yet - then a 4x4 is bloody hard to roll. Most 4x4 drivers care about their vehicle and they usually have grippy tires and are Road worthy - I think I can outbreak a 1976 Falcon with baldy tires.

I'm getting very sick of this country listening to these freaks. We as close to a communist country as can be - with rules for everything....

Try finding a camping ground these days where you can light a REAL fire. Where can you ride motorbikes offroad?

Soon we'll have to catch fish using a net only and be required to feed and massage it before we place it back in the water.

[Dug]

I watch volvo driving soccer mums trying to do a 47 point turn in our street in big 4wd's they have no idea just a simple 4wd driving test ( just drive over a moderately difficult track then reverse back down it to pass) to see that people can handle what they are driving would solve 90% of the problem.

[Dug]

lets test 'em all in a Landy Series 3 that'll sort the men from the boys,

chris

Could not agree more chris if you drive a 4wd then drive one! not just a Tourak Tractor.

[hotsy]

I agree that this talk of a special licence for 4 x 4 is crazy. I have been a cop for over 30 years and would think that a class of licence for people to tow trailers, which basically are an articulated vehicle, would be more appropriate. How often do we see someone at the ramp or towing a camper who obviously have no idea of how to reverse, park, overtake with caution etc.?
hotsy

[mackmauler]

As an experienced series 3 driver, i still get that cold sweat on some roundabouts

[Maria]

The hype over banning 4WD's is not about the genuine 4WD enthusiast. I believe it is targeted at the volvo driving soccer mums, the Tourak Taxis, the "luxury" 4WD's for e.g BMW, Lexus etc that will never see even a gravel driveway. These are the dangerous ones as they often have someone behind the wheel who is driving the vehicle purely for image purpose, without one iota of 4WD understanding. The true 4WD'ers who know what their vehicle is, how to operate it safely and effectively are generally not the ones to be concerned about. That's my opinion anyway.

Ben

[Glug]

I had a Volvo driving mum reverse into me at an intersection, she got reverse instead of drive and came back like a rocket. trying to make a quick dive in between cars on the highway. Then she wrote out all her particulars and mine down on a piece of paper. She tore the paper in half and gave me her details, after I read them she said "hold on I will give you my business number" she wrote the number down folded the paper and gave it to me back. She then said "sorry I have to rush" jumped in her car and took off. When I got back in my car and looked at the paper she had swapped it for my own details. I tried chasing her but she had shot up some bush track some where and disapeared. I didn't even have her number, sucked in big time $6000 worth of damage. She would be a real killer in 4WD but she would be smart enough to pass a special test thats for sure.

I taught drivers at one time and some you can get them passed a test but at the same time there is no way you would ever pass them. They are accidents waiting to happen and should not be allowed on the road at all. I refused to teach one person but he passed his test with another school, 2 weeks after passing his test he killed a young guy on a cycle.