Road trips - Letters

Sierra, Sept-Oct, 2002

I found Jennifer Hattam's "Righteous Road Trip" ("The Sierra Club Bulletin," May/June) both timely and informative, but unfortunately the story uncovered but a tip of the iceberg. Sport-utility vehicles are harmful to society and the environment in manifold ways. They require nearly twice the natural resources to manufacture as the average sedan; they are deadly in a collision with cars or minivans because of their great mass and high bumpers; they are prone to rollovers; and as the author says, they are both massive gas guzzlers and air polluters. The manufacturers don't care about the negative effects and shamelessly promote these vehicles because they generate huge profits.

D. M. Hrobuchak
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

I used to oppose sport-utility vehicles until Honda started building them. Then when Mercedes and BMW jumped on the bandwagon, I figured people would give up SUVs when they gave up motor-powered vehicles. Even Porsche now builds an SUV. Decrying the SUV is only tilting at windmills.

Mike Savino
Sacramento, California

There are several non-hybrid vehicles out there that get better gas mileage than the Prius. They are called motorcycles. I have been commuting on mine for ten years now. It gets 50 miles per gallon and is fun to drive.

Wayne R. Argabright
Wedgefield, South Carolina