>safer if there is an accident

Erm...all the figures I have seen show that in a big accident, most SUV's are more dangerous due to weaker passenger compartment, greater propensity for rolling etc.

Also much more dangerous to everyone outside the SUV - greater mass, more metal at pedestrian chest height etc.

More likely to be in accidents as a high percentage of SUV drivers are not trained to cope with the handling characteristics of a large mass of metal, while gaining a false sense of security from the height and size of the vehicle.

I would post links, but I'm at work and have no time.