John Burn-Murdoch’s review of America’s lethal roads goes some way towards blaming the habits of America’s drivers for the carnage (Data Points, FT Weekend, April 20). But the piece omitted to mention two other important factors rarely discussed: the contributions of car manufacturers and of road modification technologies.
Newer cars are now computers, first, and vehicles for transportation, second. Their dashboards are dominated by flat screens overflowing with sources of distraction for the driver, ranging from setting vehicle functions, to a plethora of communication options and entertainment platforms. Studying that screen while driving is at least as important a source of distraction as mobile phone use.
Meanwhile, endless reconfiguration of America’s streets and pavements by traffic engineers who dream of “Amsterdam in Santa Monica” has cluttered once open roadways with mountains of superfluous signage and millions of plastic bollards; new parking arrangements, often in the middle of the street; bicycle paths switched to different lanes every other corner; and elevated bulbs wherever possible — all designed to slow traffic under the guise of creating bike and bus-friendly streets.
The addition of all this visual noise impedes every driver’s view, making it ever harder to see that bicycle or pedestrian while elevating the level of stress.
Alas, too many American drivers have reacted to these safety-related distractions and stressors by developing the habits of road rage.
So don’t just blame the culture of freedom that Americans enjoy for the roads mayhem. At least some fault is due to the nanny state at work, killing us softly with safety enhancements.
George P Csicsery
Zala Films, Oakland, CA, US
