California Unknowingly Bans SUVs

The Golden State has outlawed big SUVs on many of its roads but doesn't seem to know it.

1 minute read

August 5, 2004, 8:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

Many cities in California and in some other states have banned trucks over 6,000 pounds from their streets. In doing so, they have also unintentionally banned many large SUVs. This regulation may be "a contender for the least enforced traffic regulation in America."

"As it stands now, big-SUV drivers have it both ways: They use their trucklike status when it benefits them, yet they ignore the more onerous restrictions that "real" truck drivers face.

I think the Golden State has stumbled on a way to end this hypocrisy, and the rest of the country should take notice...

Why not classify SUVs under 3 tons as passenger cars and regulate them accordingly? Make them meet car gas mileage and safety standards, and let them drive anywhere cars can drive.

For vehicles over 6K, classify them as trucks, pure and simple. Let their drivers use more gas, roll over more often if they want, and take tax breaks. And ban them from residential streets."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

FULL STORY: California's SUV Ban

Wednesday, August 4, 2004 in Slate

Transportation United States

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