Artire Automotive’s Post

If you’ve been around Denver recently, you might have noticed a trend: vehicles are getting larger. From full-size trucks to electric vehicles (EVs), the streets are increasingly filled with taller, heavier rides. While these vehicles may offer great benefits and a stylish look for their drivers, they pose serious risks for others on the road—particularly pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and those in smaller cars. At the O’Sullivan Law Firm, we’ve witnessed the tragic outcomes of accidents involving these oversized vehicles. The reality is, they are far more dangerous than most people realize. Here’s why the growing size and weight of today’s vehicles have become a major safety concern. https://lnkd.in/epi8nmMH

It’s a dying industry or is it? Who is going to maintain your car? I spent more time in front of the TV last week than is probably healthy, but I was ill anyway. I found myself watching Magnum PI mixed with American, Canadian and UK car restoration programmes. In one episode, the garage owner mentioned that when he was growing up, people were fixing and restoring 1930s and 1940s cars, but now people are restoring 1970s and 1980s cars since that’s what they grew up with. I remember people going to night school/Adult Ed to learn car mechanics. There was even an episode of Frasier featuring “twist and then pull” at night school for car maintenance. So I had a look for a basic course and there are none. Or rather, you can do full-time daytime courses that last a couple of years at colleges - proper vocational training which is great to see. There are evening courses for learning about hybrids, but not to maintain them. That’s for sales staff, dealer managers, accident assessors, etc. not for mechanics. That’s also good to see. However at the other end of the scale, I was in a conversation the other day with a friend about their deflating tyre. They didn’t know how to change a tyre, so that limited the options for keeping the car on the road. I recognise that maintaining a car from the 2020s is vastly different to maintaining a car from the 1980s. The electrical hybrid systems nowadays are much more dangerous to maintain without the proper training. Add in the complexity and uniqueness of current electronics and it’s vastly more difficult to do. There will be fewer mechanics and hobbyists who can maintain cars over 20 years old. There’s also the migration to EV. Then we end up with the old argument about whether it’s better to move to a new electric, than to maintain a 20 year old car. Regardless of the heated debate on both sides, it may be an irrelevant argument unless there’s a capability to train new generations in how to maintain older cars. Or is it a circular argument, that because of the forced migration to EV, there’s no point training people to maintain 20 or 40 year old cars? So my fever-induced dream of maintaining a red Ferrari 308 or a screaming chicken Pontiac Firebird was very short lived.

I spoke about car bloat -- the deadly expansion of car size -- at Das Tegernsee, a small gathering of transport executives held outside Munich. I drew from my 15+ stories about car bloat's effects. 🔽 Key pts 🔽 🔹 American cars are enormous 🔹 In the 1970s, <25% of new car sales were SUVs or pickups; now the share is ~80%. Individual models keep gaining pounds and inches. (The F-150 now weighs around 800 lbs more than in 1991.) 🔹 Car bloat worsens myriad societal problems 🔹 Oversized vehicles are more likely to kill pedestrians, cyclists, and people in smaller cars. They also erode asphalt faster, catalyze climate change, increase toxic tire pollution, and reduce on-street parking capacity. 🔹 Car companies are not merely "giving people what they want"🔹 They have spent billions convincing consumers to buy profitable SUVs or pickups instead of sedans or station wagons. Also, many people who'd prefer a smaller car may get a bigger one to avoid being at a disadvantage (prisoner's dilemma). 🔹 Instead of restraining car bloat, federal policy encourages it 🔹 Policies such as CAFE, the Chicken Tax (tariffs on imported, often smaller pickups), and Section 179 of the tax code (tax discounts for small biz owners who buy a vehicle weighing >6,000 lbs) have inflated vehicle size. More info: https://lnkd.in/epsTB5-F 🔹 Car bloat will get worse until it is regulated 🔹 Electrification is poised to add hundreds of pounds to already oversized models. The good news is that NHTSA recently proposed adding pedestrian crashworthiness to car safety regs (long overdue), which may curtail the most dangerous designs. Better yet: Follow France and Norway's approach and tax cars by weight. Also smart: DC, Montreal, and Paris all charge owners of heavier cars more to park/obtain a registration. ➡ If you'd like to learn more about car bloat, the articles I've written about it are collected here: https://lnkd.in/eBMs6n9P. ➡ You can also sign up for my free monthly newsletter about mobility trends, Paved With Good Intentions: https://lnkd.in/eSF8Umqe

A frequent observation among stand-up comics these days are the parodies of overly inquisitive Uber and Lyft drivers. A ride home from the doctor means sharing details of the appointment to a stranger you are likely never going to see again. In car-dependent LA, some are willing to take the driverless route just to avoid the chit chat. But is the technology really ready? Self-driving Teslas have been involved in fatal accidents. For many car companies, self-driving is not even the next hurdle to overcome, it is their driver-assisted options (the car brakes on its own, keeps the car in its lane during highway driving). A Ford Mustang apparently failed to see a stopped Honda and rear ended the vehicle killing the Honda's driver. The underlying theme whether it is a driverless car, or there is a driver but they are essentially driving on autopilot, is how fast we are embracing new technology before the bugs are ironed out. For companies, the race to be first with dependable technology means billions in potential sales. We've seen this before in our lifetime, beginning with cars. I can remember a time when cars were sold without seatbelts, barely! More recently, I remember the pushback from the auto OEM's on airbags. Some executives even testified before Congress that deployable airbags were a bad idea. My point, once we are surrounded by steel, glass and plastic and traveling at 70 mph or more, shouldn't we demand better safety data before being so willing to get in the back seat of a car driven by computers and satellites? For companies, is testing even in a tight urban boundary with people in the backseat a good idea? #highwaysafety #selfdriving #tesla #ford #technology

I completely disagree with Brad Lea's approach to buying brand-new cars for his kids. It’s just not practical. My kids will earn their cars by maintaining good grades, upholding strong moral values, and being positive contributors to society. Even then, it won’t be a brand-new car but a reliable one that meets their needs. 🚗💡 #Parenting #LifeLessons #Responsibility #ReliableCars

Pierce County Sheriff's Department - New Street Racer Laws: The Washington State Legislature passed new laws on reckless driving or “street racing” which will aid law enforcement in deterring unsafe behavior on our roadways. RCW 46.61.530 Racing of Vehicles on Highways-Reckless Driving has been updated to include reckless driving on any “off-street facility” It also states any person or persons who willfully compare or contest relative speeds by operation of one or more motor vehicles or who willfully demonstrates, exhibits, or compares speed, maneuverability, or the power of one or more motor vehicles, including “drifting,” shall be guilty of racing, which shall constitute reckless driving under RCW 46.61.500. Notice it doesn’t say speeding. If you are sliding through a corner, doing burnouts, drifting, dragging tail, fish tailing, popping a wheelie or any other “showing off” type of driving you are in violation of this law and can be cited or arrested for Reckless Driving. Washington State experienced its highest total fatalities on the roadway since early 1990 when safety in vehicles was far less advanced than it is today. The state has been going in the wrong direction and we want to keep everyone safe on the roadway, including the people who are violating the law.

🚗 #UNSW New research highlights the importance of vehicle safety for young drivers. According to recent findings, young drivers have a 30% higher crash risk in their first year if they own their car compared to those who borrow the family vehicle. Ensure your child's safety behind the wheel by prioritizing the safest car possible. #RoadSafety #YoungDrivers #ParentingAdvice 🚦 https://lnkd.in/dcTWBRhD

Need Leads? / 5 Common and Irritating Driving Mistakes You May be Guilty Of Committing: Irritated Driver | iStock Photos/shalunts Don't be an irritating driver. Avoid these five common driving mistakes during your daily ride. The post 5 Common and Irritating Driving Mistakes You May be Guilty Of Committing appeared first on MotorBiscuit. http://dlvr.it/T88MjG www.carsbuytext.com #cartalk #Cars #carsofinstagram

Big Cars, Bigger Fines: Navigating the New Parking Regulations for Oversized Vehicles The recent implementation of fines or bans for cars deemed "too big" to fit into parking bays has sparked significant debate. This measure aims to manage limited parking space efficiently and ensure safety within multi-storey car parks. However, the backlash from drivers is equally understandable, particularly given the sheer volume of penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued. Over 357,000 PCNs handed out in the past six years, resulting in over £8 million in fines, highlights the frustration and financial burden placed on motorists. Enforcement of parking regulations, while necessary for order and safety, must strike a balance between fair management and excessive penalisation. Popular models such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Range Rovers, Tesla Model S, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Kia EV9, and others will now be prohibited from parking in certain areas. The core purpose of enforcement is to protect the shared values and environments we all enjoy, ensuring that rules are followed for the benefit of everyone. For many, the enforcement of these new parking rules feels like a disproportionate response to an issue that could potentially be mitigated through better urban planning and infrastructure development. Instead of punitive measures, there could be a greater emphasis on creating parking solutions that accommodate larger vehicles, reflecting modern vehicle sizes. Moreover, it’s essential to consider the broader implications of such fines on public sentiment and the potential for increased tensions between motorists and local authorities. Engaging the community in dialogue and education about parking regulations, and offering clear, fair guidelines can foster a more cooperative approach to managing shared spaces. Ultimately, while enforcement is crucial, it should always aim to be fair, transparent, and in the public interest, ensuring that everyone can enjoy equal privileges without feeling unduly penalised. #ParkingProblems #OversizedVehicles #PublicDebate"

How will these new parking rules impact your daily commute? Are larger vehicles being unfairly targeted? Let’s discuss!