For instance, placement of headlights is a serious nuisance and a potential safety problem. On large SUVs, the headlights are mounted higher than on cars. Large SUVs have headlights mounted 36 to 39 inches above the ground - the same height as the side mirror on a small car. The glare from SUVs' headlights can appear to other drivers as bright as high beams. Glare can be 10 to 20 times worse than recommended levels when headlights are at the height of a driver's eyes or side mirror, according to a study by the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Automakers traditionally claim that they are simply giving the public what they want with SUVs.
But recent survey results show that the public is concerned about SUVs compatibility with other passenger cars. This overwhelming majority points to a growing concern among the public that SUVs and cars have a hard time coexisting on the roads. With today's SUVs growing ever larger, automakers have begun a war of escalation - like a new arms race. In the end, the result of this race may be lower overall highway safety. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.