The Gianormous SUV

An appeal to individual conscience.

The Gianormous SUV

 

By Elton Camp

 

Seems it’s an indisputable fact:

To drive a SUV is a selfish act.

Safety’s the owner’s main concern?

Its impact on others he needs to learn.

 

The behemoth on the street you park,

Others can only back out in the dark.

Have to take a chance a car won’t ram

Or a truck into their vehicle will slam.

 

Driving behind them is no delight.

You can’t even see the traffic light.

And they belch pollution into the air,

Not about those does the owner care.

 

“My only concern is what’s best for me.

About others’ right I don’t care, you see.

My vehicle is so very roomy inside,

And I am so safe if I should collide.”

 

The mileage that they give’s a disgrace.

The planet’s scarce resources do waste.

And the center of gravity is so high,

In a roll-over, the owner could die.

 

When a smaller vehicle they run into,

To call an ambulance, don’t even do.

No need for that vehicle’s speed.

When a hearse is what you need. 

 

For a pedestrian crossing the street,

It’s a disaster a SUV he should meet.

Alive it’s unlikely that he will remain.

The effect is more like hitting a train.

 

Because it is to hard to see to the rear,

Back-up deaths are also much to fear.

If a child should happen to stand behind,

As to the horrible details, just never mind.

 

On those many roads with narrow lanes,

Vehicles that extra wide sure are pains.

And when parked, they stick way out,

Also a safety threat, without a doubt.

 

Because the driver feels that he’s safe,

About caution he’s unlikely to chafe.

He feels so powerful as he looks down

On all the lesser people that surround.

 

Marketing practices are also to blame.

In daily use, they are driven the same.

Ads show them used in off-road driving,

Instead of at work their owners arriving.

 

A vehicle with the SUV’s terrible weight

Yet another censure as unsafe does rate.

The stopping distance is such a long way,

That danger requires but little more to say.

 

To own monsters, people have the right,

But to me they seem only to be a blight.

How will he feel when forced to say,

“My big old SUV killed a child today?”