How about kids beside the car who don't reach the windows? When in the car I bet pedestrians are most obscured by 4x4's - their safety and visibility are to some extent at the expense of smaller cars. Having owned a van has made me aware of the problems big vehicles pose for smaller ones. Look I drive a range rover, I don't have an axe to grind. I suspect my visibility is better than some other 4WD's, there must be a reason beyond jealousy that the question of 4WD's around schools is often raised.