IMHO … there should be a more strict driving test if you want to drive a car over a certain weight.

Just like the truckers … if you want to be safe in your “tank” demonstrate your driving skills.
– Too many tickets and you are back in your civic.
– One head-on accident in your “tank”, banned for life
– Not related to safety, but a very difficult parking test for large vehicles would be my personal favorite.

If you want to be safe: drive defensive, expect the unexpected, don’t tailgate.

I guess the other option is buy a huge car and drive however you want. That seems to be the prevailing attitude currently, at least while gas is cheap.