The main difference between SUVs and cars is that you have to do dumb things in a car to crash. SUVs are so unwieldy that a "normal" driver can lose control for no apparent reason (see the pedestrian-killer article above) or can crash through barricades that would stop a normal-sized car (see the parking garage incident above).
The government can't regulate away stupidity in people. However, the government can regulate away (or at least heavily penalize with taxes) stupid vehicles (e.g., SUVs).
I assure you at least 50% of the folks in CA are unfit to be driving any vehicle. When in doubt, drive when it rains here. Germany does an excellant job regulating stupid drivers by making it more difficult and expensive to get a license.
