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Road safety experts propose levy on SUVs in city to curb rising Victorian road deaths
(www.theguardian.com)
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No the problem is that governments arent legislating standards and are letting australia be used as a dumping ground for models that cant be sold elsewhere.
As the article mentions people are getting tax breaks to buy these things and then not using them for work. They're buying dual cabs to take their kids to school and go mudding. Not to visit work sites.
The vast majority of these tradies could make do with a van and a trailer. Their tools would be more secure and they'd have more space for hauling. But tradies arent buying these things. People who want to look like tradies are.
It also mentions that they've caused an increase in morbidity and mortality on the roads. To get a motorbike license i had to take 2 day courses and tests and also do logged supervised hours. This is apparently necessary even though the only person i'm likely to hurt on a bike is myself. People driving these light trucks dont have to get any special licenses or training at all.
Towing a trailer is a skill. Driving a vehicle that is larger than average is a skill.
I agree that there needs to be specific driver training; you should need to do some advanced testing to be entitled to tow a trailer or drive a larger vehicle.
Standard licences will need to be restricted to a certain GVM and a certain GCM. The problem is that the Caravan Industry and the Grey Nomads with dementia would get upset.