Let’s Put SUVs in the Slow Lane

As I see it, drivers of sport-utility vehicles want it both ways (Letters, Dec. 15 and 22). Basically SUVs are trucks built on truck bodies. They are a source of danger to other motorists, and they waste fuel. Trying to back out of a space in a parking lot is almost an impossibility with one of those rhinoceroses parked next to you.

In case of an accident, by their gross weight they inflict more damage to lighter vehicles. This is more costly to insurance companies and increases insurance costs for everyone.

Therefore, to make them less attractive, I propose the following: Being that they are trucks, they should be limited to 55 mph on the freeways, just like the largest commercial trucks. This would lower the damage they inflict on other vehicles and lower fuel consumption.

They should be made to comply with the emissions requirements of cars and not be exempt because they are trucks. And just as we have special parking spaces for the handicapped, they should have special spaces at the furthest periphery of parking lots so that smaller vehicles can see when it is safe to back up.

Speed regulators should be required of SUVs (especially the 150-mph Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG) to limit their speed to 55 mph.

MURRAY S. LEVINE

Los Angeles

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