You've seen them..They are usually big, black and powerful, and usually made of Detroit metal..They think they own the road, and they drive like it..I'm talking about guys, mostly, in big black pickup trucks who drive like idiots. Why is it just because a vehicle has power, and lots of it, the driver has to use it all?.Why too, does he think he can control all that power?.In my lengthy career as a newsman, I can't tell how many times I've heard the phrase, "single vehicle rollover" over the police radio. It happens all the time, partly because people don't slow down in bad weather.. Gemballa Mirage GTA Gemballa Mirage GT supercar that crashed in New York in 2020. .They think the technology will protect them, but in rain or ice they end up hydroplaning off the road..This goes for rich guys in their exotic cars, as well..Just because they have deep pockets, they think they deserve that super car and instantaneously know how to drive it. No. They don't..More often than not they lose it, and prang their nice red Ferrari, or bright yellow Lamborghini — and those things are expensive to fix..My buddy Niles, who's driven race cars and has a super car licence, says the most often made mistake is underestimating the power.."Often they have no concept of the speed and acceleration of a 1,000-plus horsepower and not used to the instant response of these near race engines," he said.."Typically the biggest mistake is when they corner and hit the gas, the car then turns sideways and usually ends very bad.."A lot of folks who buy these are simply not used to the power of these cars, in a handful of seconds they can exceed 100-mph. Often their car is moving much quicker than their minds.".But let's go back to our friends in big black pickup trucks. And I'm not talking workday F-150s, I'm talking big, honking road warrior trucks..What is with these guys? They're driving these huge, powerful, and beautiful trucks, yet they will never carry a single stone, shovel-full of soil, lumber, or anything in the truck-bed..These trucks, are simply an extension of machismo, a piece of bro-jewelry that they think makes them look cool..Well, let me tell you, it's not cool, dude, it's not cool..Because quite often (and I admit, not everyone), these guys blow past you on the highway, or even in the city, going way too fast, driving aggressively and dangerously..The message sent, is obvious: "Get out of my way, or else.".People who drive like this can also be prone to road rage. Although I can't prove that, aggressive driving and road rage seem to go hand-in-hand..Indeed, many Americans and Canadians assume hostile driving is par for the course when it comes to pickup truck drivers, perhaps because pickups command more space than the average vehicle..Which raises the question, do these guys have to pay more in car insurance and if not, should they?.When asked if vehicle classifications (pickups, passenger cars and zero-emission vehicles) make a difference, Rob de Pruis, director of Consumer and Governmental affairs at the Insurance Bureau of Canada, told Driving.ca, no "they do not.".De Pruis says the insurance industry uses the Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating, or CLEAR, to assess the probability of any particular vehicle getting damaged or stolen..It looks at the makes, models, and years for a huge range of cars and light trucks sold across Canada and assigns them a score based on the average cost per vehicle for claims, including crashes, theft, and property damage..“It just gives an indication of where your vehicle would compare to an average,” he says.."There are a lot of other factors to consider when shopping around for insurance, such as your age, your gender, where you live, and the amount of driving you do..Apparently, there is no "Idiot in a Black Pickup" rating. But maybe there should be.. Insurance graph .And this has nothing to do with freedom, so don't even go there. We can't blame this one on Trudeau..According to Car & Driver, some pickup factors matter when it comes to insurance..The truck bed, which typically makes up more than 50% of the vehicle's size, is usually made from inexpensive and easily repairable sheet metal. Lower repair and replacement costs result in lower insurance premiums..The heavy-duty nature of pickup trucks often results in less damage and fewer injuries. These factors result in less expensive claims, which also lower insurance rates..Many pickups are utilitarian work trucks, however, prices on coverage rise as you add more comfort, tech, and power features to your truck..Pickup trucks are popular in less-populated areas. Insurance tends to be lower in rural communities with lower rates of accidents and auto thefts..Despite these factors, pickup drivers often have to pay more for liability insurance, which covers the costs incurred by other drivers and passengers if the policyholder has an at-fault accident, Car & Driver reported..The size and weight of these trucks mean collisions often cause significant damage and costly injuries..And by the way, my car is also black — a 2007 Nissan Altima with a V-6 pumping out 270 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm..That is a lot of power, and it deserves a lot of respect. The temptation to use that power is very great. At times I call upon it to get out of trouble quickly..But North American automakers are now making pickups with monster-sized V-8 engine power. Have a look at these numbers from HotCars.com..2020 Hennessey Chevrolet Silverado Goliath (700 horsepower).2022 Ford F-150 Raptor R (700 hp).2021 Ram 1500 TRX (702 hp).2020 Shelby Ford F-150 Super Snake (720 hp).2021 SVR Chevrolet Silverado Yenko/SC (800 hp).Hennessey Mammoth 1000 TRX (1,012 hp).I can't even imagine getting behind the wheel of one these things. Beautiful trucks in all, of course, but really, do we need all that power?."Bigger trucks, bigger size of the vehicle [and] machoism on the road," observed one motorist, Stacy Lynn, who shared some thoughts on pickup trucks with CBC News.."You get the guys with the big trucks and the females with the big trucks. So the bigger the vehicle they think they own the road.".One has to wonder if the relationship between driver and machine changed in today's Canadian culture.."It's no different than the guys driving the sports cars and motorbike weaving in and out," Russ Olson suggested to CBC News. "It's just nowadays nobody cares about the other people. It's all me, self-centred and no focus anymore.".That, my friends, may be the problem — are we just a bunch of selfish, self-centred jerks? We, as in, you and me. Should we slow it down, a bit?.Conversely, believe it or not, Honda Ridgeline drivers are not only the least aggressive drivers among pickup truck owners, but they’re also some of the most polite drivers on the road, according to Insurify.com..Their aggressive driving rate of 8.32% is a full 27% lower than the US national average for pickup truck drivers..Which model wins the title for most aggressive? The Chevrolet Silverado..While earning praise for its quality, reliability and affordable price tag, it’s also one of the most popular trucks among motorists that demonstrate aggressive driving behavior too often: 12.56% of Silverado drivers have an aggressive driving violation on record, a share that’s 10% higher than the US national average..The big-grilled RAM 3500 is a close second..Look, I have no quarrel with people who drive trucks for their daily work, for utility purposes, to pull trailers, to commute or even for bling purposes, I don't..Gun racks are fine too; live and let live, I say..But people are people, especially the younger crowd — they have something to prove. Maybe insurance companies and local police forces should take note..It might even save some lives.
