Ok, so we all know that Americans drive on the right-hand side of the road, and their preference for large vehicles is almost legendary. And I think I've discovered why the Americans love their "SUV's". It's not because they're pretty, it's not because SUV's are practical, it's certainly not because they're fuel-efficient, it's not even some Freudian compensatory defence mechanism...
It's because the roads over here are so freakin' bad that you need a vehicle that has greater-than-normal undercarriage clearance, robust suspension, and can deal with the ruts, potholes, ridges, and miscellaneous sudden impacts at high speed that is the lot of a car in Atlanta. Honestly, I hit so many potholes and ridges that are completely unavoidable, I'm seriously considering sending the bill for my next wheel-alignment to Atlanta's Department of Roads!
And, as if the actual poor state of the roads wasn't bad enough, they have an interesting system of "temporary repairs" over here. They take a very, very thick and heavy metal plate and lower it over the hole in the road. Then, they put a little ashphalt around the edges in what I suspect is an attempt to enable cars to roll over the top of this heavy great plate. Unfortunately, what usually seems to happen is the constant pummelling from traffic quickly erodes this tar-based putty, leaving an edge that has sufficient height that when you hit one, you definitely know it!
I like our little Kia: it's fuel-efficient, easy to park, and does a good job of getting us around town. But the roads are so bloody horrible, I can't help but look at the Jeep Grand Cherokees and the Hummers that pass me daily with a certain degree of envy.
cheers
Ken
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