by Greg Tooker

As gasoline prices continue to escalate, Americans increasingly turn away from large, fuel inefficient sport utility vehicles.

Many of the truck-like, high-performance cars are appearing on front lawns with ?For Sale? signs because the owners are appalled by the trade-in quotes offered by unsympathetic dealers.

These vehicles are typically more than 4 years old and the owners are not inclined to throw in good money for expensive preventive maintenance.

But, a potentially hazardous situation is emerging. The value of these vehicles will continue to plummet to the point where they will be affordable to people with lesser purchasing power. At the same time, the probability of their becoming involved in more motor vehicle accidents will increase as relatively younger, inexperienced drivers, to whom SUVs have great appeal, will be able to purchase them.

An older SUV that?s in good shape is still more difficult to control during emergency maneuvers, is significantly more prone to rollover, takes longer distances to stop and can do severe damage to a standard automobile because its higher bumpers strike the softer, more vulnerable sections of a car.

Also, despite mandatory seat belt laws, many young drivers still shy away from buckling up. With worn tires, shock absorbers and brakes, an older SUV can be a lethal instrument if not driven with an unusual degree of care.

Many states have motor vehicle laws in place but enforcement is sometimes weaker than it could be.

Looking at both frequency and severity, vehicle accident-related losses continue to lead the claims parade for state municipal league pools and the local governments they insure. But, all local officials are in an excellent position to heighten public awareness about the problem of aging SUVs. Schools need to do a better job of educating student drivers, and local public safety should increase its focus on the issue.

Providing programs that give thoughts, suggestions and samples of existing SUV driver safety in communities are also suggested.

Greg Tooker is president and CEO of Risk Probe Inc., a risk control management-consulting firm, and is a principal consultant to NLC Mutual Insurance Company.