4x4's Are They Really That Bad?

The use of 4x4's on inner city roads has always been a point for argument between different sectors of the motoring community.

Many motorists and organisations believe that these vehicles have no place on today's inner city roads. These organisations believe that there is a place for these vehicles but it is strictly for off road purposes. These people also believe that the increasing trend to buy and use these vehicles in urban environments is damaging the environment due to the large engines giving off large amounts of emissions. Some activists also claim that 4x4's pose an increased danger to other road users and pedestrians.

On the other hand 4x4 drivers believe that these cars do serve a purpose in urban areas and are very popular with families for transporting multiple passengers.

The problem is that the dispute has started to take a sinister twist and recent reports of 4x4 vandalism have got many people worried. It has to be said that the damage is being done by a minority of protesters that are giving non violent organisations a bad name.

In my opinion both parties have valid points but surely in the end it comes down to driver preference. 4x4's are expensive to run and obtain car insurance for but if an individual wants to pay these charges they why shouldn't they buy a 4x4 such as a Land Rover?

If the parties that are opposing 4x4's could produce a valid argument then maybe the rest of the motoring community may sit up and take notice. However the fact is that there is no evidence to suggest 4x4's are any more dangerous to other road users than large family saloons or people carriers.

With respect to the pollution problem maybe these activists should be aware that some common household items such as a fridge freezer and tumble drier produce more green house gas per unit than a Range Rover.

Maybe these organisations that are damaging other people's property would be better off if they informed them selves properly before acting. Maybe we should all be prepared for an anti-tumble drier campaign in the very near future.