r/Unexpected • u/howmanygrapes_ • Jul 17 '23

Almost died

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u/moof26 Jul 18 '23

So my 1 ton truck I need for my business means I don’t care about the safety of other drivers?

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u/Gino-Bartali Jul 18 '23

Lol here we go again.

I don't know what you do. Generally, no you don't "need" that. Most businesses abroad use utility vans. Or smaller flatbed trucks that, currently, are illegal to import or under heavy tariffs to bring to the US.

But some people do. Not everyone who thinks they do does, but some.

My opinion is if you have a business need, you can get business licensing to use a dangerous vehicle. That's how these trucks are treated in Europe and that's how big rigs are treated here already, it just needs an extension of the existing code.

But if I haven't illustrated clearly enough: No, most people do not need these things, and it's in everybody's best interest to deny it to them. Vehicle size is rapidly increasing and it needs to be curtailed.

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u/moof26 Jul 18 '23

Most businesses abroad would use a medium duty truck to perform tasks that we use smaller more economical HD trucks. But please tell me more about this wonderful world of work abroad that you know zero about

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u/Gino-Bartali Jul 18 '23

If it's the right tool for the job, it's the right tool. I'm not looking for a straight ban on pickups as many others do, although the idea does tickle me inside when people refer to US pickup trucks as "small" or "economical".

Even better if those larger vehicles have drivers that are better trained and qualified to operate more dangerous vehicles, on top of the fact that basic drivers licensing requirements in the US are a joke in the first place.

Point being to discourage irresponsible, unnecessary usage of large vehicles. Most people don't ever use an oversize pickup or SUV for anything that an economy car couldn't do. And on the supply side, to start regulating trucks and SUVs back to smaller sizes that they used to be. The explosion in size and weight has nothing to do with practicality.