The auto clubs should campaign to regulate these vehicles.
They are top-heavy. The center of gravity is much higher
than in standard vehicles and they are prone to overturning
in accidents. Also, because of their mass and height they
cause more damage and injury to standard vehicles in the
event of an accident. This was illustrated on the news
recently - when an Rv and a sedan collided.
The people in the sedan
were rushed to hospital. Those in the Rv walked away.

Don't be silly Luddy, the last thing we need is people we are fond of, driving around in these paper thin little cars. When a daughter had a silly little thing, a Matiz, I was always worried she & later the grandkids, would get squashed in the stupid thing. Now she is in the nice big 4WD crew cab ute they use to tow their large ski boat, I am much happier.

It is carrying kids in the back of those toy cars should be made illegal, not driving a solid car.

For years I drove crew cab utes, as towing a 2 horse float with a car was illegal by government stupid order, [still is I think]. I would have been just as happy with a Commodore, but some clown bureaucrat type, [probably an idiot like Carr who had never driven a car], made that illegal. While we have idiots making these regulations, people are forced to use their big tow vehicle as the shopping trolley.

Foxy my sweet, don't ever buy a sports car. With the ridiculously high backs they are putting on cars today, & the fixation with horrible hatches, I can't see past most things in car parks. I agree it is a real worry when backing out. Most people can't even defend themselves by backing in, as you can't get the trolley to the boot if you do.

Seeing past, through or round the things from a low small car is also a problem. About the only thing my daughter likes about her big thing is the visibility, which is a safety factor in itself. It doesn't help me though, when following them.

It may also be unfair to assume the choice is all down to status. If it has a tow bar, it is quite likely it is used for a serious job, even if only in recreation.

I may be forced into one some time soon. It is getting harder to get down into my little cars, & it is much easier climbing into a nice big high ute.

In the US they have the status of truck. Where sedans are made to crumple to absorb impact, Rv's are build the opposite. Certainly not town friendly.
With proper status recognition drivers would be required to be alcohol and drug free.
It used to be said that they are safer to drive than sedan's, probably right but at someone else's expense.

Priorities
You know you are living in a First World country when some have such a sense of personal importance and entitlement they rage and blame others for their own impatience and possible driving incompetence in a shopping carpark.

Car rage over a few minutes delay caused by a bit of congestion is hardly a normal reaction.

A Landcruiser TD has no larger footprint than a Falcon and not much different to a Camry. Its fuel economy, which some might see as somehow relevant, is not so different to many medium to large petrol cars.

If it is height compared with the increasingly less common (for good reason because many people seek multiple use) passenger saloons is to be regarded as an issue, a Nissan Micra is higher and could be regarded by the poster of the OP as blocking her sight. God knows what she might say about a Suzuki S-Cross, a Rav 4 or Honda CR-V - some of which are 2-wheel drive (added since '4-wheel drive' offends some).

What about window tinting, does that incur the ire of the OP poster? Ban tints?

This is simply another of those 'Ain't it Awful' threads. Life must be very, very kind and cushy where a slim delay waiting for other carpark users results in anger and railing against the innocent bystander, in this case a parked car. As for "The Hazards of Status", where the hell did that come from? Jealousy?

HTFU Princess and deal with it. Girls can do anything, but when they age they like men need to consider their limitations and make some concessions. Driving instructors often comment on the ignorance of road rules and lack of crucial driving skills of some drivers who got their licence through less onerous testing decades ago. Ever met a middle-aged or older driver who slows down when merging on a freeway? What about those who take ages to park and leave the car parked at an odd angle? Then there are those who cannot use their indicators properly at roundabouts or at all, the list goes on.

Dear Hassie,

Let's pray that driving a 12 seater bus or modified
military tank will not become the new status symbol
any time soon.

In the US there are groups that do drive tanks as a
recreational activity and fortunately they're only allowed
in rural fields. Let's hope this doesn't graduate to roads.
But you know - in America anything's possible.

Originally, I believe the Range Rover in the UK was designed
to be used by farmers. And later the military took it up.
The vehicle became popular overseas as a status symbol
and of course it was copied by motor companies in the US.

We of course tend to follow everything that's American.

Foxy, "We of course tend to follow everything that's American"

BS, check the sales of new vehicles.

I did not pick up a comment of your earlier concerning safety and small cars. However there is a video doing the rounds that compares one of the renowned older 'tank' safety cars, a Volvo 940 Estate (bigger and heavier than most of your hated RVs) and a small four-cylinder (you may have a car that is larger), a tiny Renault Modus. See here,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCecdOBCFjI

BTW, who owns the RangeRover that you are so jealous of? Or is that more of your irrational dislike of things British? Your carpark rage is complex.