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SUVs, pickups on a roll

Published Jan. 9, 2003

Most wrecks on icy roads around here recently involved SUVs or pickups, according to the Washington State Patrol.

What a surprise.

Somehow the idea has taken root in some drivers that because four-wheel-drive gives better traction for starting on ice, it must give better traction for stopping.

It isn't always so.

Anti-lock brakes may make a difference in stopping on ice, but primarily that's in directional control. The braking distance is still going to stretch out there.

We claim no scientific data to back us up, but our observation is that most SUV and 4x4 pickup drivers are well aware of the limitations of their rigs and drive accordingly.

They, too, must shake their heads in wonder as some self-imagined SUV super hero slams past on the slick shoulder of a narrow, snow-plowed lane on a pass, splashing snow, ice and gravel on us slowpokes.

Even worse than the rolls and flips they do, hurting themselves, is the risk they provide of sliding head-on into others who were just minding their own business by minding their speed.