The only way to see real change is if gas hits something like $7 a gallon in the US, and, more importantly, stays there. This happened long, long ago in Europe, which is why the cars are so different.

Americans really, really, really like their SUVs and this won't change until it actually becomes too painful financially.

Obama came right out and said this right after the election, we were getting there when gas was above $4 a gallon, but we very quickly return to complacency when gas becomes cheap again.

As for the Cadillac vs. truck, I'm not an expert, but I've seen enough Discovery channel to know that modern cars are designed to self-destruct to absorb as much energy as possible in an impact, in an attempt to reduce injury to occupants.

EDIT: Wait a minute, wasn't this thread about beach access???

Mike