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Monster pickup trucks accelerate into Europe as sales rise despite safety fears (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 6 days ago by lemmee_in@lemm.ee to c/fuckcars@lemmy.world
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[-] misk@sopuli.xyz 147 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Those have to park somewhere and can’t do so legally due to size and permissible gross weight. I usually get out of my way to report incorrectly parked SUVs, BMWs, Audis and such (we have a nice app from an indie dev for that in Poland). I’ve been averaging a dozen or so towed or wheel locked cars per week based on responses from city guard. I’ll keep on doing this until those fuckers learn to stay away from our cities.

[-] FatLegTed@piefed.social 48 points 6 days ago

Not all heroes wear capes.

You're doing good work there, keep it up 😉

[-] misk@sopuli.xyz 42 points 6 days ago

Credit goes to the guy that made the app, it’s so effortless. It’s also published into a public database. Got one just now: https://uprzejmiedonosze.net/ud-OOWN3OESyFTn.html

[-] Wrufieotnak@feddit.org 29 points 5 days ago

Wait, your police is acting on those reports? Any hints on how to manage that?

[-] misk@sopuli.xyz 27 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Depends entirely on willingness to cooperate so it differs from place to place. My city guard will not fine driver unless they come and confirm offence in person but I’m sending so many reports that I have a fairly high success rate. I also asked nicely to respond to my emails with separate case numbers for each offence so that I can track them.

[-] Jackhammer_Joe@lemmy.world 12 points 5 days ago

The Polish Anzeigenhauptmeister

[-] misk@sopuli.xyz 8 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

We have guys like that too, some even document their work on YouTube and gave me much courage and inspiration. You need to reach critical mass where people don’t park badly because other people don’t do it either.

[-] whats_all_this_then@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

Genuinely curious because I have no clue: what's wrong with BMWs and Audis?

[-] WhatYouNeed@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago

BMW and Audi are like the poor man's Porsche. They are often owned by pretentious, self absorbed arseholes who don't know how to drive, or couldn't care less about endangering other road users.

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[-] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 138 points 6 days ago

I miss the days when Europeans would justly laugh in our faces about the size of our trucks.

[-] Wrufieotnak@feddit.org 37 points 6 days ago

Me too

signed by a sad european

[-] BruceTwarzen@lemm.ee 7 points 5 days ago

It used to be that you would see one every now and then, inclusive the ridiculous red blinkers, and they you would do your civil duty and point at it and laugh, because you knew he payed a lot of money to get a shitty car imported. Now, just like McDonald's, they are everywhere. Please america, make something that doesn't suck ass, since people have to adopt everything from over there.

[-] witty_username@feddit.nl 79 points 6 days ago

Parking spaces in the Netherlands do not easily accommodate these child-killing machines. So, they often end up clumsily parked over multiple spaces or blocking sidewalks. I have taken to submitting complaints to my municipality every time I see this happen.
It is not much but I am doing my little part. I did notice that one of these abominations has gone absent from my neighbourhood. I like to think my complaints have contributed to this

[-] Thorry84@feddit.nl 27 points 5 days ago

Have you gotten any traction on this with the police or municipality?

I've seen a lot of these huge American trucks parked like assholes and I'm seeing more and more custom lifted trucks. The other day I was riding my bicycle from work and saw this huge custom lifted thing. It was as wide as a bus and generally enormous. It was going 60kph in a 30 zone. Then proceeded to jump the kerb, drive across the bicycle path and park on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant. Four douchebags in suits stepped out.

I was shocked and didn't really know what to do. I thought about taking a picture, but was worried such characters could be organized crime. I thought about calling the police, but frankly I don't think they would take it seriously. So I just went home bummed out about the state of the world.

[-] witty_username@feddit.nl 10 points 5 days ago

With the municipality I think I did. I use the relevant web portal to report the hindrances. I make sure to include photos.
Never tried contacting the police directly

[-] olafurp@lemmy.world 18 points 5 days ago

They should fine them for not parking correctly. I'm also on the opinion that you should need an extra licence to drive something that big

[-] Piece_Maker@feddit.uk 2 points 5 days ago

Even in the States where spaces are generally big enough to accommodate these things they still block sidewalks and park across multiple spaces. People who drive these stupid things are just arseholes

[-] riodoro1@lemmy.world 21 points 5 days ago

Thats so much bullshit. Pretty much only assholes are buying them here. Fucking ban them.

[-] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 58 points 5 days ago

Sounds like a regulatable problem.

[-] daddy32@lemmy.world 12 points 5 days ago

They are already somewhat regulated: In europe, they are considered trucks, not personal cars, so you can't practically use them in the cities, park them on regular parking spots etc.

[-] HK65@sopuli.xyz 9 points 5 days ago

I feel enforcement is lax in that. I regularly see Dodge Rams parked in regular spots. They usually don't fit in, so they block other spots or traffic.

And that's in the NL. Doesn't look good.

[-] riodoro1@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago

In poland you see them more and more everywhere.

Especially those polished and detailed „trucks”

[-] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 64 points 5 days ago

Speaking as an American, I am so sorry.

[-] Lennny@lemmy.world 16 points 5 days ago

With significantly fewer school shootings in Europe, kids need to learn fear from somewhere. Why not fear the yank tank?

[-] brewery@lemmy.world 47 points 6 days ago

Been seeing these more and more common in London, along with most people buying massive cars generally. I just don't get it. They really struggle with the tight roads, parked cars, small lanes, car parks etc. Its embarrassing to watch frankly!

[-] DakRalter@thelemmy.club 34 points 6 days ago

Ridiculous things.

[-] whostosay@lemmy.world 21 points 6 days ago

I don't think I'm capable of murder, but holy shit I understand it.

[-] DakRalter@thelemmy.club 18 points 6 days ago

Every time I walk through that car park, half the vehicles are those awful 4x4s. And I always think how nice it would be if all that tarmac was replaced with grass and wildflower beds and footpaths and cycle paths and bike stands and trees. But instead it's just a rogue's gallery of these monstrosities.

I wish there was some sort of e-cargo bike taxi service or something so that the "but how will I carry my shopping home" crowd don't have an excuse.

[-] whostosay@lemmy.world 11 points 6 days ago

Unfortunately they won't need one, it's usually just a dick measuring contest on how absurd the vehicle is vs how much they paid for it. It's more of an education/social problem, unfortunately.

[-] teft@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago

I wish there was some sort of e-cargo bike taxi service or something so that the "but how will I carry my shopping home" crowd don't have an excuse.

Time to bring back tuktuks.

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[-] FatLegTed@piefed.social 23 points 6 days ago

Meet my sister in law. Hardly goes anywhere as she can't park it. Doesn't visit my wife anymore as she says out car park is too small. Even though workmen and delivery vans get in and out OK. She had a Peugeot 208 which she could park anywhere, but 'upgraded' to a 3008 to fit in with her posh friends. She's retired. And lives in Hertford UK. Not known for it's wide sweeping vistas. FFS.

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[-] exocortex@discuss.tchncs.de 21 points 5 days ago

We need Paris-Pickup-Parking-Prices everywhere. They're 18€/h. If you want your stupid tank within city limits pay for it.

[-] BluesF@lemmy.world 34 points 6 days ago

There's one of these pricks nearby my house. We have these tiny narrow roads and this prick is taking up 30% of it with their giant truck. Why? I have never seen them put anything in it. Right now the through road is blocked and you have to turn around awkwardly.... Bet they regret that thing now.

[-] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 27 points 6 days ago

Follow the lead of activists in Britain. Flatten the tires by pressing on the valve stem. No property damage to people that might have been out of options, and sends a clear message that large vehicles aren't welcome

[-] Samvega 12 points 6 days ago

I say we just send all these huge trucks away to be scrapped.

[-] sirico@feddit.uk 8 points 6 days ago

Pressing on the valve stem? Just put a lentil in one and replace or use a valve core tool to take the valve core out

[-] Technus@lemmy.zip 23 points 6 days ago

So it's not an uniquely American problem after all. Fuckers everywhere want bigger and bigger cars.

[-] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 53 points 6 days ago

It's not just people wanting bigger vehicles. It's an intentional move by vehicle manufacturers to push light trucks, which have less strict safety and emissions standards, leading to higher profit margins.

[-] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 9 points 6 days ago

So it’s not an uniquely American problem after all. Fuckers everywhere.

[-] walter_wiggles@lemmy.nz 22 points 6 days ago

Cyclists beware

[-] witty_username@feddit.nl 16 points 6 days ago

Society beware that we are tacitly allowing these child-murdering horrors into our communities

[-] Fuzzy_Red_Panda@lemm.ee 4 points 5 days ago

As someone who lives in the US, I can assure you that these monstrosities are killing plenty of adults too.

When one of them kills someone on an e-bike, the local government considers banning e-bikes instead of regulating 3-ton murder-mobiles.

[-] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 13 points 5 days ago

Reminds me of America in the 80s when for a brief time the Jeep Cherokee or Ford Bronco were cool sort-of-rare vehicles. A few years later it was obvious it had become a trend and was A Very Bad Thing and I couldn't wait for it to die out.

Still waiting.

[-] veganpizza69@lemmy.vg 12 points 5 days ago

Deadly carbrain contagion

[-] werefreeatlast@lemmy.world 10 points 5 days ago

Maybe they should enact the keitruck law... No truck allowed unless it fits in a shipping container etc etc. I think it's reasonable. Because if we're not getting kei trucks here in the US, you big manufacturers don't deserve to sell outside the US.

[-] gencha@lemm.ee 4 points 5 days ago

While I am not necessarily a fan of needlessly large trucks, I can buy an actual commercial transport vehicle or an actual bus and nobody would give a shit. You can get a 12 seat bus, drive it around alone all day long and never come up in these discussions. Hell, buy an RV of any size and you're off the hook.

And then this "despite safety fears" bullshit. When in the history of man has a car buyer been thinking: Hmmm, I wonder if other people would be safe around me when I drive this vehicle? Nobody gives a shit.

Car is about ME, not the people around me. This will never change. Making cars about YOU and your emotions is what their entire marketing is all about. You have to be incredibly naive to expect that it won't work.

[-] Skua@kbin.earth 16 points 5 days ago

You can get a 12 seat bus, drive it around alone all day long and never come up in these discussions.

I'm pretty sure it would come up if people started actually doing it en masse

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[-] werefreeatlast@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

That's a Grammy! I'm glad she's safe 🙂. WTF.

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this post was submitted on 12 Oct 2024
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