A sample of 496 car and sport utility vehicle (SUV) drivers responded to questionnaires that examined attitudes toward vehicle size and safety. The aim of this research is to determine whether drivers perceive larger vehicles to be safer and whether this concern for safety motivates drivers to purchase SUVs. Alternatively, non-safety influences are also examined, including environmental concern, vehicle power, prestige, and vehicle utility. Perceptions that large vehicle are safer, off-road use, and prestige all relate strongly to SUV use. The safety arguments raised by SUV drivers appear to be based on an egocentric concern for “bigger is safer” rather than a broader understanding of vehicle fleet safety. To encourage sustainable transport, it is suggested that road safety policy should shift drivers' concerns from personal collision protection to overall road user protection. (Author/publisher)
Abstract