The Era of the Giant Pickup Truck
Pickup trucks have gotten enormous. Pedestrian and bicycle advocacy groups have started a new trend of taking a selfie near the front bumper of any giant pickup truck they come across during their travels. Many heavy-duty models have front-end heights that reach the shoulders of a grown adult male. There are safety issues that arise from driving such a large vehicle, including expansive rear and front blind spots, which can make them a danger to drive in crowded areas.
Pickup trucks sold in the United States have grown by nearly 1,300 pounds on average since 1990. The largest trucks on the market currently weigh in at nearly 7,000 pounds – the weight equivalent of approximately three Honda Civics. During the pandemic, demand among U.S. buyers for this type of vehicle increased. More trucks than cars were sold for the first time ever in May 2020. Five of the top-selling vehicles sold in 2020 were pickups.
Giant Pickup Truck Dangers
Enormous trucks are more deadly when involved in collisions due to their size and may be responsible for an increase in the number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in recent years. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has opined that the increased number of large pickups and SUVs is a factor in the surge in pedestrian fatalities.
Another alarming statistic that may relate to the huge truck trend is identified in a recent IIHS study that revealed that women are suffering injuries and fatalities in automobile collisions at a higher rate than males. This gender disparity is in spite of the fact that women are involved in fewer collisions overall and tend to take fewer risks while driving. The difference appears to be attributable to the fact that women usually drive smaller vehicles than men.
Why Have Trucks Gotten So Large?
Trucks were once primarily used for farming and work-related purposes. They used to be almost exclusively single-cab vehicles. In modern times, trucks have morphed into family vehicles, and are designed to transport children, spouses, and pets. Approximately 85% of pickup trucks sold in 2020 had extended cabs or crew cabs, and most had four doors. Some truck manufacturers, such as Ram, do not even offer single cabs anymore.
These enormous trucks are expensive. The average price for a truck sold in the United States is now nearly $50,000, a more than 40% increase from 10 years ago. At the same time, trucks and SUVs have gotten more fuel-efficient, and many come equipped with a hybrid powertrain. Tesla’s Cybertruck is set to hit the market, along with GM and Hummer’s battery-powered EVs.
Aggressive Para-Military Styling
There is some indication that these vehicles are being purchased because smaller vehicles make owners feel more vulnerable on the roads. This is especially true in towns where everyone else is driving a big truck. Many of these huge trucks feature aggressive styling – humongous grilles, aftermarket window tinting, front-end “bull bars,” and other paramilitary-type features. Paying $50,000 to drive a truck equipped for war around town or to the golf course may not seem reasonable and is interpreted by some social researchers as an exercise in performative masculinity. It may be that the trucks are viewed as a “safe space,” a refuge, and protection against an unstable world. Further problems may arise when the huge trucks are paired with aggressive driving.
Watch the YouTube video below, which highlights another issue with big trucks – navigating small parking lots.
Roseville Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for reading. I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Roseville, California. Giant pickup trucks are not the only danger one faces on the roads. The biggest problem is negligent driving. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries caused by another driver’s carelessness or recklessness, call our injury lawyers for compassionate, free, and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/gmc-yukon-truck-grill-headlamp-2828425/
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