Why do people drive SUVs?

[Silver Swan]

223. I never liked SUV's, I had the same attitude as some of the posters here.

I don't even drive. My last driver's license expired in 1971. My experience now is as a passenger.

My spouse is the driver, and we generally had sedans or coupes. We have not bought a new car in twenty years--we can only afford used cars.

Back in 2008, we traded in our old Taurus on a one-year old Mustang convertible. My spouse always wanted one, and there was no reason not to buy it. It was our only car for three years.

We are not young, and my spouse is a law abiding driver. However, many people in our far suburban/semi-rural area drive giant pick-up trucks. They seem offended by a Mustang that is not exceeding the speed limit. I felt bullied and nervous, and at least one occasion I was terrified by the behavior of a pick-up driver. I started avoiding going out at all. My spouse did nearly all our grocery shopping, because it frightened me to travel to the store with him.

Last year, we bought a second car, a Ford Explorer. The difference was amazing. I could almost ignore the other cars on the road. Except for the occasional tail-gater, I do not feel threatened by other drivers. No one cares if a gray-haired SUV driver is not speeding.

I wish everyone drove small cars. I also wish everyone kept to speed limits and did not follow too closely. But until they do, I will ride in my SUV.