More To Consider Than The Numbers Be A Good Neighbor Conscience Should Outweigh Statistics

Fri., Dec. 1, 2000

By Gary Crooks garyc@spokesman.com (509) 459-5026

It just keeps getting better for owners of big vehicles.

The government has already created a special class called “light trucks” that allows sport utility vehicles and minivans to avoid the gas guzzler tax and to meet less-stringent pollution standards.

The logic is that these vehicles are used for work purposes and we mustn’t impede commerce. Yes, that Town and Country loaded with kids is on its way to a plumbing job. And that Yukon with the ski rack is delivering studs to a construction site.

Now, State Farm wants to give these drivers discounts because they pilot safer cars. And why are they safer? Mostly because they’re bigger. To add insult to injury, State Farm would bump up rates for smaller, cheaper cars.

Just what this country needs: more incentives to buy a large SUV, to continue the slide in fuel efficiency, to increase dependency on foreign oil, to foul the skies.

Consumer groups are rightly miffed at this turn of events. “An SUV may protect the people inside it but it does a heck of a lot of damage to anyone it hits.” said Dan Jacobson, consumer program director for the California Public Interest Research Group.

Here’s a partial list of autos that would receive the maximum discount: Certain Chevy Suburbans, GMC Yukons, Ford F250 pickups, BMWs, Jaguars, Mercedes-Benzes, Saabs and Volvos.

Here’s a partial list of cars that could be hit with higher premiums: Toyota Camrys, Honda Accords and Civics, and Ford Tauruses.

It doesn’t take Columbo to figure out what’s going on. Like other businesses, the insurance industry is aiming its marketing at the rising number of upscale families. State Farm notes that SUV owners would still be paying above-average premiums. But that’s because those vehicles cost more to repair.

Perhaps State Farm’s safety numbers don’t lie, but it would be comforting to see an independent body confirm that. And even if the numbers are true, it doesn’t mean the company has to follow them to the detriment of society.

Insurance companies know that elderly drivers are more susceptible to accidents than other adults. Yet, many have not raised rates accordingly. Why not extend that courtesy to drivers of sensible vehicles?

Like a good neighbor, State Farm should care.

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