Are Ford Ranger owners bad drivers?

Australia’s best-selling car has come under fire from motorists concerned by the behaviour of drivers in high-riding utes.

Tradies have come under fire as some of Australia’s worst drivers as readers speak about their experiences on the road.

Hundreds of people commented, and thousands voted on polls responding to an article we published last week suggesting drivers of large vehicles bully smaller cars on the road.

Comments sections are a tough read for owners of big American pick-ups.

The basic premise was that “People treat you like crap if you drive a small car – and the worst offenders are often blokes in big utes.”

Some folks thought the idea was “absurd” or “a load nonsense”, while others felt it was “reasonable.

Of the 4000 + people who responded to a poll asking Have you experienced road rage?, 87% said yes.

More than 3500 people responded to a poll asking whether drivers of big cars were more likely to be bullies, and 86 per cent said yes.

A reader named Nathan said the article had “no facts” and “no statistical analysis, just ‘this is what I allege happened to me and this is my blinkered interpretation of what it means’.”

But another called Roger, who sounds like a great bloke, said it was a “very reasonable and qualified analysis by a driver with vast and wide-ranging experience”.

Small cars can be fast as fun, as we’ve shown at Beat the Blue. Photo: Celebrate Photography.

I stand by my original story, having driven nine more cars (truly) in the week since then.

They included small models in the compact Suzuki Swift hatchback and Mazda MX-5 convertible, a dual-cab ute in the GWM Cannon Alpha, a luxury sedan in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lamborghini’s outrageous Huracan Sterrato and four updated models at an event hosted by Audi.

One of those Audis had a fascinating feature designed to ward off tailgaters – special brake lights that light up in stages. If cars approach too closely in stop-start traffic, the rear tail-lamps illuminate extra sections intended to encourage road users to back off.

It’s a shame you cant get anti-tailgate lights on a hatchback, because plenty of readers agree that small cars are treated poorly.

Here are some of their views:

• Steve: “Totally agree with this sentiment. Previous work vehicle was a Colorado and now drive a Kia Seltos, and from day 1 noted the attempted intimidation from larger vehicles behind. For some strange reason, if I’m driving the speed limit, they try to use some Jedi mind trick to make me go faster. When in actual fact, the opposite is true!”
• Joseph: “I drive a Prius and a classic Porsche. The difference in treatment from other drivers is remarkable. It goes beyond a general disrespect in the Prius to actively trolling and yes, as per the article, the big utes are the most common offenders.”
• Wendy: “Yep definitely true. Had a s*** oversized bloke in a s*** oversized 4WD tailgate and high beam me to get outta the way, but where was I to go with another three cars in front of me? Women should definitely stay away from these sort.”

• Owey: “My dashcam has so many examples as a small hatchback driver. The tailgating and being cut off is frequent and dangerous.”
• Daniel: “This is true. When I am driving my SUV I have no issues in the morning traffic. On the occasion I have to drive my wife’s Picanto, I regularly have people cut me off or deliberately speed up to prevent me overtaking.”

The Kia Picanto is about as intimidating – and cute – as a baby pug.

• Bel: “Yep. It happened with my Accent – big cars cutting me off, beeping, tailgating and verbal abuse, every day to and from the city. I now have a medium SUV and I don’t experience any rage directed toward me.”

Of course, not everyone agreed with the story.

• GOB: “What a load of nonsense…maybe you should consider using public transport or have a competent driver take you to your destination.”
• Mark: “A generalised opinion piece that is in reality absurd.”
• Abbaddon: “I think it’s you mate.”

While some suggested small car drivers only had themselves to blame, tradies in utes were a particular source of scorn.

People pointed at “bloody ute drivers” and that “Rangers seemed to be up there” on the list of cars that bully drivers.

• Maveri: “I find the tradies the worst, they far outnumber the Ram drivers”
• Gari: “Every Ranger contains anger.”

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Originally published as Are Ford Ranger owners bad drivers?