Freakonomics – 548. Why Is the U.S. So Good at Killing Pedestrians?

Intro

In this episode of Freakonomics, titled “Why Is the U.S. So Good at Killing Pedestrians?”, the hosts explore the alarming increase in pedestrian deaths in the United States. They delve into the reasons behind this trend and discuss potential solutions to improve pedestrian safety. The episode highlights the role of street design, distracted driving, and the need for regulatory changes to address this pressing issue.

Main Takeaways

Pedestrian Safety and Street Design

• Pedestrian deaths in the US have been increasing, with around 7,500 deaths last year.
• The US has a higher death rate for pedestrians than other high-income countries.
• The US prioritizes car movement over pedestrian safety when designing streets.
• Streets are designed for the uses they invite, and there is a huge imbalance in space dedicated to cars versus other modes of transportation.
• Crash hotspot analysis shows that 80% of crashes occur on 15 to 20% of roadways in most cities.
• In New York City, just under 7% of streets account for more than half of pedestrian deaths.

Distracted Driving and Inattentional Blindness

• Distraction is a major cause of roadway fatalities, and it’s increasing rapidly.
• Talking to a passenger or someone on a cell phone has a distraction level of 2.2-2.3, while interacting with voice assistants is often a 4 or higher on a 5-point scale.
• Inattentional blindness is a hazard caused by distracted driving, where drivers don’t see things right in front of them due to taking attention away from visual processing of the driving scene.
• Reducing distractions is crucial for safety until autonomous travel becomes widespread.

Regulatory Changes and Behavioral Shifts

• Most states use the 85th percentile rule when setting speed limits, which allows the speed limit to be changed if 85% of drivers are driving a certain speed, even if that speed is higher than the suggested speed limit.
• The 85th percentile rule is a problem because it designs roads to enable cars to drive faster, which disrespects other users of the roadway.
• New York City has adopted an approach called Vision Zero, which aims to entirely eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.
• Shared streets, where pedestrians and vehicles are entirely intermixed, can improve safety.
• Lowering speeds, targeting crash hotspots, and implementing speed cameras can reduce fatalities.
• Shifting the default from blaming pedestrians to blaming drivers for accidents is essential.

Summary

Pedestrian Safety and Street Design

The episode highlights the alarming increase in pedestrian deaths in the US, with around 7,500 deaths last year. The US has a higher death rate for pedestrians compared to other high-income countries. The street design prioritizes car movement over pedestrian safety, resulting in an imbalance in space dedicated to cars versus other modes of transportation. Crash hotspot analysis reveals that a significant percentage of crashes occur on a small percentage of roadways in most cities, emphasizing the need for targeted improvements.

Distracted Driving and Inattentional Blindness

Distracted driving is a major cause of roadway fatalities, with distraction levels varying depending on the source. Inattentional blindness, a hazard caused by distracted driving, can lead to drivers not seeing objects right in front of them. Reducing distractions is crucial for safety until autonomous travel becomes more prevalent.

Regulatory Changes and Behavioral Shifts

The 85th percentile rule, used by most states when setting speed limits, allows speed limits to be changed based on the speed at which 85% of drivers are traveling. However, this rule often results in roads designed to enable cars to drive faster, disregarding the safety of other road users. New York City’s Vision Zero approach aims to eliminate traffic deaths and injuries. Implementing shared streets, lowering speeds, targeting crash hotspots, and using speed cameras can significantly reduce fatalities. Shifting the blame from pedestrians to drivers and promoting behavioral changes are also crucial for pedestrian safety.

Conclusion

The increasing number of pedestrian deaths in the US is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. Addressing street design, distracted driving, and regulatory changes are key to improving pedestrian safety. By implementing targeted improvements, reducing distractions, and shifting the blame to drivers, it is possible to create a safer environment for pedestrians. The episode emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that combines infrastructure changes, behavioral shifts, and regulatory measures to eliminate pedestrian fatalities and create a more pedestrian-friendly transportation system.