RA40

iTrader: (6)

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...-economy-.html

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

but then once in awhile, you hear an obese person survive a major car crash due to the extra "cushion"..........true story actually.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

too bad accident rates and deaths have been falling for years, despite us getting more obese and more minutes talked on cell phones

caddyowner

I don't know about accident rates, but deaths have been falling.

96SC4

iTrader: (2)

go on a diet.
lose weight, gain self respect, live longer, and save $...... sadly, even this isn't enough for people to make a life style change.

mmarshall

While respecting the author's opinion, I don't agree with that line. That was once true, decades ago, when small cars were mostly RWD, cramped, uncomfortable, noisy, and inefficient with interior space utilization, but not today. Today, even large or obese persons can often be just as comfortable in many smaller cars as they are in larger ones. And, because of vehicle downsizing and the general firming of tires/suspensions in many larger cars, the difference in ride comfort between compacts/subcompacts and larger models is not as wide as it used to be. And you should see how many larger guys run around in small Miatas........it is not just a so-called "Chick" car like the auto press makes it out to be.

One part of it, though, IS true. As the Baby Boomer Generation (yes, people my age) have been getting weaker backs/knees/hips, there has been a tendency to get vehicles that sit somewhat higher off the ground and make entry/exit easier. That was one factor, out of many, that made me choose an Outback. People in their 50s and 60s generally don't have the physical flexibility to repeatedly contort or push themselves in and out of low-slung sports cars like a Bachman Pretzel.

Lil4X

^^ Absolutely! My wife and I have achieved the age at which we are no longer able to drop our butts to our ankles and slither into many conventional coupes and sedans with ease, thus we are pretty well limited to SUV's, minivans, and pickups that have a seat height that is considerably higher. It also helps to have a eye-line that is well above the ground, enabling us to see over and around most traffic more easily.

The rooflines of many conventional automobiles are getting lower, and owning a moonroof is almost out of the question unless you want to adopt a low-rider driving position. My '95 Civic was just at the borderline of acceptable seating - I could adjust the driver's seat to achieve a position where my head rode in the pocket of the moonroof, but hit one good bump, and I'd grow an impressive knot on my head for the experience.

dunnojack

yeah. obese people survive accidents.

then the clogged arteries kill them later

I8ABMR

I see a lot og obese people but rarely do I see people who are so big that they probably cant use a seat belt. I think this is more hypothesis than actual fact


where is this info from. Heads up that the mods might want the address posted at the top. At least thats what they yell at me when I dont put it in.

bagwell

ok now that made me LOL

IS-SV

It's a real killer in more ways than one. But sometimes I do worry more about the jetliner getting off the ground when I see all the chubby people inside.