Citation

Jarrett DR. Br. Med. J. BMJ 2005; 331(7522): 967.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmj.331.7522.967-c

PMID

16239710

PMCID

PMC1261241

Abstract

Simms and O'Neill warn of increasing death and injury from sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and conclude that consumers should be warned of potential risk to pedestrians through notices on these vehicles. This solution fails to consider the psychology of SUV drivers, most of whom do not need four wheel drive off-road capability. There are few hill farms in Chelsea. Ownership of such a vehicle represents the conspicuous display of wealth and a deliberate attempt to look down on, both physically and metaphorically, poorer, less important people such as public transport users and pedestrians. In the United States to drive an SUV is seen as a fundamental freedom like the other lethal freedom, gun ownership. Some have tried to curb use by invoking other belief systems: WWJD "What would Jesus drive?"