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Quexotic ,

Simple, if you buy a car that's too heavy for the existing infrastructure, you either pay for the improved infrastructure or take the risk yourself. The minivan that I drive the kids in is only 4,300 lb. If you're driving something heavier than that then, best of luck. I expect that if I'm driving a camper, and I fall off the road, I'm just done. Game over.

I don't expect infrastructure to adapt to the minority. That's not what it's for.

ErwinLottemann , (edited )

what about trucks? should these rails not work for big trucks? or are trucks a minority?

edit: trucks like the ones that transport goods not rednecks

NoTittyPicsPlz ,

Trucks in America practically doubled in size within the last couple years. Expecting everything to change that quickly is ridiculous. If big trucks stick around then sure, expect infrastructure to become rated for it and also more expensive.

Quexotic ,

This reminds me of a recent news story where the government is unable to handle all of the new fraud claims that are originating out of Meta's services. Coincidentally (read suspiciously) the increase in fraud claims began at the same time as the layoffs.

I think it was the New York attorney general that said directly “We refuse to operate as the customer service representatives of your company,” or something to that effect. [Sauce]

Companies really love foisting the responsibility that they rightfully own onto the government in this case I would say it's the car manufacturers. They certainly have plenty of practice doing it

calcopiritus ,

Trucks are driven by people that are supposed to be way better than the average driver. They also would need huge (and expensive) walls. At some point you have to compromise. It's not feasible to truck-proof the roads.

Zanz ,

Trucks are commercial vehicles. People driving commercial vehicles should be professionals and we should have required a commercial class c license for all light duty pickup trucks or SUVs. Anything that gets an emissions credit so they can have lower MPG for being a commercial vehicle should also be classed as a commercial vehicle for licensing purposes.

Quexotic ,

I really like where your head's at.

FooBarrington ,

I don't think there's a way to make it work for both cases.

It's actually important that the rail gives in and deforms, as this reduces a cars energy much more quickly and safely than if it were rigid. Unfortunately this also makes them much less effective for larger vehicles.

In the end, it's a question of protecting as many people as well as possible.

Quexotic ,

At the moment I believe there are minority that's becoming a majority but I maintain that if they're the ones that require the infrastructure the payment for that infrastructure should be built into the cost of the vehicle or the licensure thereof.

Neon , (edited )

7000 Pounds is 3.2 Tons (metric)

3.2 Tons

geez, i wonder why these guardrails wouldn't work on a fucking Truck

LemmyKnowsBest ,

that thumbnail photo looks a lot like the guardrail on lifeguard road La Jolla farms Blacks Beach overlook switchback trail

RizzRustbolt ,

Aka "Deadman's Curve".

phoneymouse ,

This becomes a self-reinforcing cycle. If there are 7000lb passenger trucks on the highway around my compact car, I maybe start wanting to get a larger vehicle myself to protect myself from the idiots who drive them.

Eczpurt ,

There has to be some sort of incentive either for smaller cars or against larger cars. Currently you can go into a dealer, tell them you want the biggest baddest truck/SUV that they have, and buy it all while having a normal license.

You'd only be paying a slight premium on whatever road or fuel tax if that while having the benefit of not getting destroyed in a car accident. As it stands, there is little reason to buy a larger vehicle unless you actually don't like driving a car that big.

Liz ,

Easy. Slap on an annual registration fee directly proportional to weight. Shit, just make it half the sale weight of the car for any non-EV, and half that again for EVs. Peg the ratio to inflation after that.

duffman ,

Weight should absolutely be a factor in registration fees. Between road damage, their environmental cost, and danger they pose it's a no brainer.

RizzRustbolt ,

Sort of.

It's either giant trucks, or Subarus.

TengoHipo ,

We just need to not have these big ass trucks for the general public. You don’t need a ford 350 with rims jacked up to show you have money. You are a pavement princess.

catloaf ,

"But I need it for my work!"

You don't even have a toolbox on it. If it was an actual work truck, it would be a pickup with the bed replaced with one of those toolbox beds. Or you'd have a sprinter van like the actual plumbers and carpenters around here.

HaywardT ,

Flatbed sprinters are awesome. I saw one with a skid steer on it and towing a trailer.

catloaf ,

I've never seen one of those, but I believe it! I bet they're comfy to drive, too.

HaywardT ,

They have a huge gross vehicle weight for their size and a low bed.

Jarmer ,
@Jarmer@slrpnk.net avatar

All those tiny penis trucks are so funny, there's never a single spot of mud or dirt inside the wheel wells, and they put mud tires on to drive around on pavement! It's like ........ hmmmmmmmmm what happened to your brain?

Simon ,

Okay this makes no sense. What about semi trucks or anything commercial? Did we decide decades ago that they can just fuck off and die?

elobscuro1309 ,

Do they get hazard pay?

Syn_Attck ,

Normal people have to read a booklet, memorize basic things, take a written test, take an eye test, and drive around the block. All can be done in the span of a day. License acquired, go drive whatever 9,000lb vehicle you want in the way you see fit.

Commercial vehicles require a commercial license to operate, which requires training and one at-fault accident may revoke their commercial license. Plus depending on the loads they carry they can be worth millions of tens of millions. That's why you don't typically see 53' flatbeds going 20 over the limit and weaving in and out of traffic. Sometimes it can get sketchy if they're close to their destination and it's a rush against their (electronically) mandated off-time, but also one speeding ticket can put their license at risk.

Encinos ,
@Encinos@dormi.zone avatar

"The goliath-like GMC Hummer EV weighs a staggering 9,083 pounds, 2 tons more than a gas-guzzling H3."

I’m confused 'Murica, do you want freedom or not?

GnuLinuxDude ,
@GnuLinuxDude@lemmy.ml avatar

My first car had a curb weight of 2400 lbs. It's absurd how fucking huge these planet-destroying, environment destroying, life destroying monstrosities have become.

rusticus ,

Stupid post. 60,000 lb semi laughs.

Syn_Attck ,

Max weight load for commercial vehicles is actually 20k lbs more, at 80k total.

And the drivers are trained, and most of them do well most of the time.

But some companies run them like Amazon drivers... No matter what happens (brake problems, engine problems, stuck, accident traffic, etc you better get there by X time. That's not such a problem until drivers start driving through their mandatory sleep times to stay awake.

A bit before COVID they implemented an electronic tracker that reports any driving at all during mandated off-times (for sleep).

Before that you'd have truckers either fighting sleep, or, stimulants were a big thing at truck stops, right up there with lot lizards.

I had a girlfriend who's dad was a long-haul trucker. I've heard some seriously fucked and sad stories. Thankfully there have been new safety implementations

Thcdenton ,

Oooohh yeeeaaaahhhh!!!!

AeonFelis ,

Natural selection

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