@politicsofcars.bsky.social
Car culture dominating society is social murder.
Posts are mostly about the US, sometimes focused on parenting.
Trying to write more, would appreciate you reading and giving feedback. https://politicsofcars.beehiiv.com/
Posts are mostly about the US, sometimes focused on parenting.
Trying to write more, would appreciate you reading and giving feedback. https://politicsofcars.beehiiv.com/
would people concerned about nominal fines unduly burdening poor drivers feel better if hypothetically fines for cell phone use were a bounty that could only go to a person poorer than the driver?
prompted by seeing truck drivers carrying big heavy phones near service workers walking to work
prompted by seeing truck drivers carrying big heavy phones near service workers walking to work
November 17, 2025 at 10:56 PM
would people concerned about nominal fines unduly burdening poor drivers feel better if hypothetically fines for cell phone use were a bounty that could only go to a person poorer than the driver?
prompted by seeing truck drivers carrying big heavy phones near service workers walking to work
prompted by seeing truck drivers carrying big heavy phones near service workers walking to work
I'm much less concerned with nominees having experience* - if you win the most votes, you win - than getting more elected officials who don't own a car.
Especially for mayors, that's such a different and better perspective on our cities.
*Incumbents with experience failing isn't great either.
Especially for mayors, that's such a different and better perspective on our cities.
*Incumbents with experience failing isn't great either.
You guys realize that taxing people to pay for services isn't socialism, right? This is just how governments work.
November 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I'm much less concerned with nominees having experience* - if you win the most votes, you win - than getting more elected officials who don't own a car.
Especially for mayors, that's such a different and better perspective on our cities.
*Incumbents with experience failing isn't great either.
Especially for mayors, that's such a different and better perspective on our cities.
*Incumbents with experience failing isn't great either.
Drivers killing people is a political choice.
“Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year…Citing data that shows the risk of pedestrian fatality is cut in half by reducing a car’s speed from 40 to 30km/hr, city officials imposed the lower limit in most of Helsinki’s residential areas & city center in 2021.”
Helsinki just went a full year without a single traffic death
The capital city is Finnish’ed with car-related fatalities.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Drivers killing people is a political choice.
Carbrains so rich that they won't deal with a valet. Presumably rich enough to have a driver but choose not to have that interaction?
November 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Carbrains so rich that they won't deal with a valet. Presumably rich enough to have a driver but choose not to have that interaction?
Driving is a Security Nightmare
A commentary on Benn Jordan's otherwise good "The Cameras Tracking You = A Security Nightmare", latest video about Flock and other ALPRs
politicsofcars.beehiiv.com/p/driving-is...
A commentary on Benn Jordan's otherwise good "The Cameras Tracking You = A Security Nightmare", latest video about Flock and other ALPRs
politicsofcars.beehiiv.com/p/driving-is...
November 17, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Driving is a Security Nightmare
A commentary on Benn Jordan's otherwise good "The Cameras Tracking You = A Security Nightmare", latest video about Flock and other ALPRs
politicsofcars.beehiiv.com/p/driving-is...
A commentary on Benn Jordan's otherwise good "The Cameras Tracking You = A Security Nightmare", latest video about Flock and other ALPRs
politicsofcars.beehiiv.com/p/driving-is...
Car over-use and abuse is primarily a political choice, not a result of eg culture or geography.
This is interesting — a recent study of mode share (the % share of transportation trips by car, transit, walking, biking etc) relative to city size and income levels in almost 800 cities in 61 countries. Interesting results. HT @davidzipper.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
November 17, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Car over-use and abuse is primarily a political choice, not a result of eg culture or geography.
Still thinking about this story from the morning. Drivers who bought diesel cars are lining up to sue manufacturers and get money, while the mother of one of their victims is literally left outside the courthouse.
Yes, and the corporations and executives should be punished as such.
Alas the trial is also demonstration of how the UK legal system (from which the US has not fully recovered) is structurally inadequate for protecting non-driver victims from manufacturers.
bsky.app/profile/poli...
Alas the trial is also demonstration of how the UK legal system (from which the US has not fully recovered) is structurally inadequate for protecting non-driver victims from manufacturers.
bsky.app/profile/poli...
November 16, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Still thinking about this story from the morning. Drivers who bought diesel cars are lining up to sue manufacturers and get money, while the mother of one of their victims is literally left outside the courthouse.
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/13/w...
Speed governors are so obviously good for safety that the absence indicates govt & automotive execs don't care.
Also, DOTs need to improve signage. Competent drivers and ADAS (available to buyers trying to be responsible) already use it and there are gaps.
Speed governors are so obviously good for safety that the absence indicates govt & automotive execs don't care.
Also, DOTs need to improve signage. Competent drivers and ADAS (available to buyers trying to be responsible) already use it and there are gaps.
November 16, 2025 at 1:33 PM
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/11/13/w...
Speed governors are so obviously good for safety that the absence indicates govt & automotive execs don't care.
Also, DOTs need to improve signage. Competent drivers and ADAS (available to buyers trying to be responsible) already use it and there are gaps.
Speed governors are so obviously good for safety that the absence indicates govt & automotive execs don't care.
Also, DOTs need to improve signage. Competent drivers and ADAS (available to buyers trying to be responsible) already use it and there are gaps.
an alternative framing to privacy is time, as in nobody who isn't a billionaire is ever allowed to impose on their time or attention. Which is bad.
We see the same dynamic with drivers who never get feedback, because even nearby people cannot engage them in conversation.
We see the same dynamic with drivers who never get feedback, because even nearby people cannot engage them in conversation.
The ultrawealthy live lives in which literally the only human beings they ever come in contact with are either other rich freaks or people who are being paid to serve them.
Of course that turns them into sociopaths. How could it not?
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/tr...
Of course that turns them into sociopaths. How could it not?
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/tr...
The Ultrarich Are Spending a Fortune to Live in Extreme Privacy
In Miami and elsewhere, the wealthy are moving in increasingly private spheres, shelling out big money to bypass the indignities of public life.
www.wsj.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:52 AM
an alternative framing to privacy is time, as in nobody who isn't a billionaire is ever allowed to impose on their time or attention. Which is bad.
We see the same dynamic with drivers who never get feedback, because even nearby people cannot engage them in conversation.
We see the same dynamic with drivers who never get feedback, because even nearby people cannot engage them in conversation.
Carbrains / people concerned about poor drivers complain about issuing nominal fines for speeding.
How about instead of a fine, they get a dashcam and mandatory calls to review video and teach them how to drive following failures to control their vehicle?
How about instead of a fine, they get a dashcam and mandatory calls to review video and teach them how to drive following failures to control their vehicle?
November 16, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Carbrains / people concerned about poor drivers complain about issuing nominal fines for speeding.
How about instead of a fine, they get a dashcam and mandatory calls to review video and teach them how to drive following failures to control their vehicle?
How about instead of a fine, they get a dashcam and mandatory calls to review video and teach them how to drive following failures to control their vehicle?
Terrible. I have an interest in dangerous carbrain politicians so I googled "Minneapolis dfl board member vehicular manslaughter" and my first result was this different driver who did 95 in a 55, ran a red, killed five people, and fled. 1/n
sahanjournal.com/public-safet...
sahanjournal.com/public-safet...
November 15, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Terrible. I have an interest in dangerous carbrain politicians so I googled "Minneapolis dfl board member vehicular manslaughter" and my first result was this different driver who did 95 in a 55, ran a red, killed five people, and fled. 1/n
sahanjournal.com/public-safet...
sahanjournal.com/public-safet...
A thought experiment especially for Americans:
If a genie provided bus service everywhere, on plausible bus routes not point to point, most drivers would keep driving.
If a genie made cars disappear, American roads would be full of pedestrians, cyclists, and people using other mobility devices.
If a genie provided bus service everywhere, on plausible bus routes not point to point, most drivers would keep driving.
If a genie made cars disappear, American roads would be full of pedestrians, cyclists, and people using other mobility devices.
Yet another evidence review argues very strongly that simply providing alternatives to driving doesn't reduce driving
This isn't surprising, if only thanks to habit. If I unthinkingly jump in my car for every trip (as many do), new buses won't change that
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
This isn't surprising, if only thanks to habit. If I unthinkingly jump in my car for every trip (as many do), new buses won't change that
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reducing traffic with “carrots”: A review of the evidence
Reducing traffic volumes is one way to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector. Since increasing driving costs is often met with public resi…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
A thought experiment especially for Americans:
If a genie provided bus service everywhere, on plausible bus routes not point to point, most drivers would keep driving.
If a genie made cars disappear, American roads would be full of pedestrians, cyclists, and people using other mobility devices.
If a genie provided bus service everywhere, on plausible bus routes not point to point, most drivers would keep driving.
If a genie made cars disappear, American roads would be full of pedestrians, cyclists, and people using other mobility devices.
Politicians like this will tell us at what age kids are ready to drive themselves, but won't tell us when it's safe for kids to cross a street
"Everyone - whether driving, walking or cycling has a role to play in keeping our community safe."
-Mayor Andrea Horwath
My question is simple: What about those who design, approve, build and maintain hostile road design? Do they have a role?
-Mayor Andrea Horwath
My question is simple: What about those who design, approve, build and maintain hostile road design? Do they have a role?
A crossing guard was killed by the driver of a dump truck yesterday. absolutely heartbreaking.
Look at our intersections, look how hostile these are for people/children - this is what we continue to build and defend at all costs. These aren't accidents, these are results. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Look at our intersections, look how hostile these are for people/children - this is what we continue to build and defend at all costs. These aren't accidents, these are results. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 14, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Politicians like this will tell us at what age kids are ready to drive themselves, but won't tell us when it's safe for kids to cross a street
Crossing guards should be retractable bollards circling intersections.
November 14, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Crossing guards should be retractable bollards circling intersections.
Great piece about one of thousands of families who have been harmed by motor vehicle violence. So many victims. Almost no repercussions after crashes for the drivers or officials responsible. There's so much blame to go around. Even NIMBYism is social murder.
November 14, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Great piece about one of thousands of families who have been harmed by motor vehicle violence. So many victims. Almost no repercussions after crashes for the drivers or officials responsible. There's so much blame to go around. Even NIMBYism is social murder.
Reposted
a crossing guard being killed by a driver the day before we yank speed cameras out of school zones is super on the nose
November 13, 2025 at 10:49 PM
a crossing guard being killed by a driver the day before we yank speed cameras out of school zones is super on the nose
"Its vehicles will now reach speeds of up to 65 miles per hour."
Waymo is about to get a lot of data on whether it's dangerous to go "only" the speed limit on the highway.
Sad how important this is for reaching airports, which should already be served by trains.
arstechnica.com/cars/2025/11...
Waymo is about to get a lot of data on whether it's dangerous to go "only" the speed limit on the highway.
Sad how important this is for reaching airports, which should already be served by trains.
arstechnica.com/cars/2025/11...
Waymo to roll out driverless taxis on highways in three US cities
Alphabet will add routes in LA, Phoenix, and San Francisco for its driverless cars.
arstechnica.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:05 PM
"Its vehicles will now reach speeds of up to 65 miles per hour."
Waymo is about to get a lot of data on whether it's dangerous to go "only" the speed limit on the highway.
Sad how important this is for reaching airports, which should already be served by trains.
arstechnica.com/cars/2025/11...
Waymo is about to get a lot of data on whether it's dangerous to go "only" the speed limit on the highway.
Sad how important this is for reaching airports, which should already be served by trains.
arstechnica.com/cars/2025/11...
Of all of the wasteful spending on sports arenas in this country, has any of them been as harmful to a city as MSG?
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Of all of the wasteful spending on sports arenas in this country, has any of them been as harmful to a city as MSG?
"A Georgia judge has ruled that a city ordinance banning guns in unlocked cars is unenforceable"
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
November 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
"A Georgia judge has ruled that a city ordinance banning guns in unlocked cars is unenforceable"
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
city transportation official describing different walk signals tonight: HAWK red lights where "you have to stop" vs yellow lights that are a suggestion
Other city official clarifies that when drunk drivers killed two pedestrians nearby, the victims were jay walking (ignores unsafe infrastructure)
Other city official clarifies that when drunk drivers killed two pedestrians nearby, the victims were jay walking (ignores unsafe infrastructure)
November 13, 2025 at 2:38 AM
city transportation official describing different walk signals tonight: HAWK red lights where "you have to stop" vs yellow lights that are a suggestion
Other city official clarifies that when drunk drivers killed two pedestrians nearby, the victims were jay walking (ignores unsafe infrastructure)
Other city official clarifies that when drunk drivers killed two pedestrians nearby, the victims were jay walking (ignores unsafe infrastructure)
Reposted
this is now how I understand the 67 meme, and I'm so proud of the kids who have been doing a Tenet just to make fun of her this whole time
November 12, 2025 at 4:42 PM
this is now how I understand the 67 meme, and I'm so proud of the kids who have been doing a Tenet just to make fun of her this whole time
residential light pollution can be a problem, but few people who are there to see it appreciate that cities should build new dense car-light housing so that their current location can return to nature
November 12, 2025 at 5:03 AM
residential light pollution can be a problem, but few people who are there to see it appreciate that cities should build new dense car-light housing so that their current location can return to nature
No word on who gave the child driver a full size pickup truck.
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/t...
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/t...
Teen sentenced in crash that killed Alpharetta family of 6
They were returning home after taking part in Christmas celebrations.
www.wsbtv.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:17 AM
No word on who gave the child driver a full size pickup truck.
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/t...
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/t...
Reposted
This is a small snow plow for sidewalks
If your city plows the roads but leaves sidewalks up to property owners, your city hates pedestrians.
If your city plows the roads but leaves sidewalks up to property owners, your city hates pedestrians.
November 11, 2025 at 7:44 PM
This is a small snow plow for sidewalks
If your city plows the roads but leaves sidewalks up to property owners, your city hates pedestrians.
If your city plows the roads but leaves sidewalks up to property owners, your city hates pedestrians.
@evanedinger.bsky.social great video youtu.be/TLObpcBR2yw about addiction, medical care, and drug regulation.
Tiny addition: there's a broader problem with gas stations in America. Culturally, albeit not legally, some are a retail grey area for adults* yet also more normal than e.g. a vape shop, 1/2
Tiny addition: there's a broader problem with gas stations in America. Culturally, albeit not legally, some are a retail grey area for adults* yet also more normal than e.g. a vape shop, 1/2
This Gas Station Drug Nearly Ruined My Life
YouTube video by Evan Edinger
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
@evanedinger.bsky.social great video youtu.be/TLObpcBR2yw about addiction, medical care, and drug regulation.
Tiny addition: there's a broader problem with gas stations in America. Culturally, albeit not legally, some are a retail grey area for adults* yet also more normal than e.g. a vape shop, 1/2
Tiny addition: there's a broader problem with gas stations in America. Culturally, albeit not legally, some are a retail grey area for adults* yet also more normal than e.g. a vape shop, 1/2