TV 8/2/07: Inside New Zealand - 4WD menace

**Wolf** · 5th February 2007, 14:43

Thursday 8 Feb 8:30pm the Inside New Zealand series is doing an episode on the menace of 4WD/SUVs.

It looks interesting from the preview - apparently only 15% of those bought in NZ are used for the purpose for which they were built, which means 85% of the bloody things have no right being on the roads endangering our lives.

The voice-over recommends that even if you don't own one it would pay to watch and learn the shortcomings of them as you have to share the roads with them (pretty slim chance you'd be encountering them off-road, eh? Unless you routinely ride on the grass verges and lawns in Remmers...)

From TV3's site:
Inside New Zealand: 4WDs: Danger On The Road
Thu-08-Feb 20:30
DURATION: 60
GENRE: Documentary
RATING: PGR

DESCRIPTION: A shocking investigation showing the dangers of the increasingly popular big SUVs to their own drivers and to other road users.

I'll certainly be watching it.

**onearmedbandit** · 5th February 2007, 14:49

Yet again, who cares? They are legal to buy no matter what your intention is to use them for. Thought about the people that need seven seats (Prado, Bighorn, Discovery, etc) or people who use them to tow a boat etc?

Only 15% of them are used for what they are built for? Endangering lives? Could say the same thing about sportsbikes. Should we outlaw those as well?

And as far as I remember, we in this country are relatively free to make our own purchasing decisions. If the demand is there, people will supply them.

**Beemer** · 5th February 2007, 14:50

They should give a free copy of the doco to every 4WD owner - and it should be mandatory equipment with every one sold!

What amazes me is the fact that so many people - women especially - say they drive them because they are SAFE. I have no desire to buy one because I would never use one off road and what's the point of having one if you only use it to go shopping in? I'm sure a Camry or similar would have even more boot space and a better ride!

**MisterD** · 5th February 2007, 14:53

Originally Posted by Wolf

It looks interesting from the preview - apparently only 15% of those bought in NZ are used for the purpose for which they were built,

Cobblers. SUV are built specifically as trendy, fashion statement lifestyle accessories...you're not suggesting a BMW X5 is designed to go off-road surely, with those tyres.

**Edbear** · 5th February 2007, 14:55

It's part of the Gummint plot to reduce the number of gas-guzzlers on the roads...

Make them non-PC and people will stop buying them. Scare people away from them, marginalise their owners, make them defensive. Next programme will be about the beauty of small, fuel-efficient cars and how much better for all they are... Sort of a "You meet the nicest people..." campaign.

**onearmedbandit** · 5th February 2007, 15:08

I should add that I'm keen for the removal of most 'older' cars from our roads, except obvious classics etc. So yeah that includes older 4wds, which are for the most part 'less' safer vehicles then their newer counterparts. Late model 4x4's are extremely well equipped and built. However most won't see past their own noses and still cry for the removal of all 4x4's, including late model variants.

**mstriumph** · 5th February 2007, 15:16

Originally Posted by Beemer

.............What amazes me is the fact that so many people - women especially - say they drive them because they are SAFE. ...........

bollocks - its the power trip
i drive the works 4wds - on and off road -------- takes me at least 20 minutes afterwards to come down to earth and stop acting like high-princess-mucky-muck, queen-of-the-heap, yes-i-do-own-the-road-move-aside-you-plebs .....

oh - right - yes ........ that's the way i act ALL the time ......

**Crisis management** · 5th February 2007, 15:16

I can't believe this is a carefully researched doco, they haven't interviewed me!
None of my carefully developed SUV driving skills and tips have been enquired into!! How can you expect a well rounded programme with such shallow investigative reporting....
I have such a wealth to offer,such as:
how to get over those bluestone kerbs without damaging the treads, etiquette involved in driving on the rugby field (handing out the oranges), herding shopping trolleys when its too wet to walk to the rack thingy, controlled drifts thru red lights (doesn't seem to decelerate fast enough when it rains, you really need longer light phases) and the basics of slow speed shunting to get a decent parking space.

I would have even washed the Isuzu for the occassion (i can't actually see out of most of the windows at the mo, so it would've been a good time).

I suppose they're going to go on about the carbon balance thingy again too....the bloody thing produces carbon every time I accelerate, what more do they want!!!

**Drunken Monkey** · 5th February 2007, 15:19

**** yawn ****

What is it, a slow news day today?

**Motu** · 5th February 2007, 15:25

Originally Posted by Edbear

It's part of the Gummint plot to reduce the number of gas-guzzlers on the roads...

:

You got it - getting the media to do the dirty work....and the media just loves to do it.Perfection....

**MisterD** · 5th February 2007, 15:30

Originally Posted by Drunken Monkey

**** yawn ****

What is it, a slow news day today?

Evidently. The calm before the Maori Day storm...

**car** · 5th February 2007, 15:34

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Only 15% of them are used for what they are built for? Endangering lives? Could say the same thing about sportsbikes.

Yup. How many see the racetrack regularly? Compared to how many that treat the road like a racetrack?

And as far as I remember, we in this country are relatively free to make our own purchasing decisions. If the demand is there, people will supply them.

Any argument that starts "these things are dangerous, consume too much petrol and are designed to be used somewhere other than the only roads they ever see" will end with motorcyclists being offered the choice of a Honda Cub or a Toyota Pruis. If you're lucky. If you're unlucky it'll be Shanks' pony or the bus.

**Finn** · 5th February 2007, 15:35

This is hilarious. Do you really think the Government will introduce a bill that bans the use of 4x4's and SUV's if not used for heavy or off road work? I don't think so. As MisterD says, our X5 is not built for off road use. It's just a medium sized SUV. Please define it's proper use. The best they could try is a Gas Guzzlers tax as they do in many US States. This is good outcome because tax can easily be avoided.

Jesus you kiwis are a pathetic bunch of inbreeds. I can think of 100's of "real" issues that need addressing and you bitches moan about people driving large vehicles.

I think you lot should all go up north tomorrow and hug a maori.

**Bonez** · 5th February 2007, 15:37

Tin foil hat on- it's a Govt ploy.
Tin foil hat off- I see penty of reasons to own a for be for.

Guess I'll sleep though the doco zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz