18-wheel trucks require Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) with stricter requirements, enforced regulation, and stricter safety oversight. Originally, so did package delivery vans and trucks in many states. It was deregulated by most states so that CDLs were no longer required for several classes of large trucks and vans, and it is those same deregulations that have allowed many "residential" vehicles to grow in size to fit those older categories that used to be classed solely for commercial vehicles (with stricter licensing standards and safety oversight).

The safety problem isn't and never has been commercial vehicles, it has been that America has let the definition of commercial vehicle erode to the point that many Americans believe that exorbitantly sized commercial vehicles make decent residential vehicles.

Yes, those commercial vehicles are on the road but they don't have to be on the road at the same time most people are on the road.

The idea that most Americans live in some sort of farm is actually wrong. Over 80% of Americans live somewhere urban. And yes, trucks, deliveries, etc should not be allowed to drive in urban areas except at night and in the early morning: for traffic and safety.

This should be regulated in Manhattan as well as Des Moines, and even in cities like Houston where the interstate is used for local trips. Driving a truck? Take the detour that skips Houston entirely during the day.

Thing is you don't see many commercial vehicles (eg delivery/repair vans) being involved in crashes on urban or suburban streets because they either have a class B license or are carefully screened. This is not to say it never happens of course, but in my experience commercial drivers are alert because driving is key to their ability to make a living, and patient because they want to get to their next job safely. They generally mindful of rules of the road and give way at pedestrian crossing or wherever. On freeways, most semi-truck drivers are similarly responsible.

The drivers who make me nervous tend to be in SUVs or lifted pickups/crossovers, followed by sports cars. IME people who pick a big car to feel safe tend to be poor drivers. I went from liking Volvos to ride in to being scared of them when I got a motorcycle.

> Given that situation, it makes sense that families would want larger (safer) vehicles.

This will protect them from the large, dangerous vehicles out there.

It starts to look like an arms race quite quickly.