RIGHT OF WAY

The wonderful world of automotive safety is a swirling hotbed of loose talk, misinformation, and purposeful, self-serving propaganda. I view the whole business with a grim sense of amusement. Best of all, it produces a steady supply of fodder for cranky editorials like this one. Have you been following the continually resurfacing “controversy” about big, heavy cars versus small, light cars? This issue has festered for decades as various groups and individuals publicly voice an opinion on this burning topic. My favorites are those “experts” who, at one time or another, have been on both sides of the battle. Currently, the lines are drawn like this: Self-styled consumer and environmental groups favor higher government-mandated fuel-economy standards, which can be accomplished only by downsizing and lightening passenger cars. Manufacturers know that smaller, high-mileage…