America's Love for Sport Utility Vehicles They've taken America by storm. Defined as “rugged automotive vehicles similar to a station wagon but built on the chassis of a light truck” (Gurlanik 723), Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have taken over the roads. The automotive industry is full of them and almost every automaker has their own version of the vehicle. Drivers like the spaciousness, comfort and status they offer and SUVs are popping up like mushrooms in suburbs and cities (Davidson 1). Americans are in love with the luxuries that come with SUVs: the 4x4 capabilities, the ability to sit higher on the road, and the sense of control. SUVs are everywhere. They are in cities, suburbs, small towns and in the countryside. Companies are making more models and getting bigger. The American market is clamoring for greater production of these vehicles. Frankly, America loves its SUVs. But there seems to be a growing problem with SUVs. As Americans thirst for more power and comfort that they offer, we are refraining from using proper caution when driving SUVs. These vehicles provide a false sense of security to drivers when faced with adverse driving situations. Thanks to the all-wheel drive feature, drivers automatically take over safety. These vehicles are also very dangerous for other vehicles on the road. Looking at the trends and facts we see that sports utility vehicles are one of the main causes of increasing danger on the roads today. The SUV gives the driver a false sense of security. While you might think that it is a convenience to ride higher than other commuters, this feature is the main reason why SUVs are extremely dangerous on the road. Being built higher than the ground, they have a high tendency to overturn (Turner 1). People riding in SUVs are 3 1/2 times more likely to die in a rollover crash than those riding in midsize cars, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Davidson 1). Smaller SUVs are especially problematic. These smaller vehicles are especially popular with teenagers and younger drivers. This means that less experienced drivers sit in the driving seat of potentially dangerous vehicles.