'4x4s safer' says TRL

A new report by the Transport Research Laboratory - the UK's internationally recognised centre for transport research and testing - has blasted another of the arguments being touted by anti-4x4 obsessives clean out of the water.

In a study of the effectiveness of roadside safety barriers, TRL's research shows that 4x4s are involved in fewer impacts with crash barriers. Just two per cent of strikes involve 4x4s, whereas these cars make up 10% of cars on Britain's roads.

That means 4x4s are five times less likely to be involved in this type of collision.

The study also reviewed UK national accident statistics, which indicate that the drivers and passengers of these larger vehicles are less likely to be killed or seriously injured in an accident than those in other types of car.

It also points out that 4x4s are "under-represented in accidents on unclassified roads".

Commenting on the results, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders pointed out that the results of the study were probably due to more 4x4s being fitted with accident avoidance technology like ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as well as anti-rollover technology, assisted braking and lane departure warning systems to prevent skidding and loss of control.

TRL's findings follow a Department for Transport (DfT) report published in October last year, which examined 2004 accident data. That also revealed that occupants in a 4x4 were around half as likely to be killed or seriously injured in a two-car impact as those in other types of car.

While this report is no longer available to download from the DfT web site, copies can be requested from the DfT on +44 (0)20 7944 6395 or e-mail: roadacc.stats@dft.gsi.gov.uk .

So now that 4x4s have been shown to take up no more road space, are no more 'gas guzzling', are not more polluting, and are no more dangerous to their occupants than other average sized cars, will the anti-4x4 brigade finally admit that their bizarre obsession with these vehicles is more about an attempt to continue out-dated class war than any rational argument?

At the very least the mainstream media should now stop mindlessly repeating their failed arguments.