A Very Important Way in which the Government Can and Should Assist in Achieving Safer Streets

Charles (Chuck) Marohn is correct about speed cameras. However, I think he may be overlooking a very important way in which the government can and should assist in achieving safer streets.

Street Design over Speed Cameras

First, he is right about speed cameras. Using speed cameras in order to influence behavior is not nearly as effective as using street design. Unless the punishment includes having my car at the auto body shop for multiple days and the fine is similar to the cost of said body shop, it will not be as effective at changing my behavior as a bollard. 

Also, the bollard's presence is more visceral. I can see it and feel it. If it scrapes the side of my car, it will make a horrible scraping sound.

The bollard is also more likely to have a social impact. If I bump into one, this will elicit recriminations from my partner, my family, and my friends. If I cannot be bothered to see and avoid an inanimate object, my friends and family will start to wonder if I should be trusted to drive. "Maybe he will run over a child next."

Restrict Who Can Get a Driver's License

Instead of speed cameras, we should use street design and restrict who can get a driver's license in the first place. The driver's license test should be extremely difficult. It should not be as difficult as the test for a pilot's license but it should be close. We should have a high standard for eyesight, self control, coordination, etc. If a person cannot read multiple instruments, keep an eye on the road, and stay calm, they should not have a driver's license.

A speeding ticket attempts to influence behavior after the fact. Regulating who can get a driver's license in the first place would be smarter and more effective. Also, it would help solve the problem before anybody gets run over.

There is a role for law enforcement after a driver's license has been granted. If a person is found to be speeding or breaking other traffic laws, their driver's license should be revoked and never returned. There should be few, if any, second chances.

We need to do both. We need to limit the number of driver's licenses and change transportation infrastructure at the same time. Then we will have actual cultural change. We will need a huge cultural shift in order to make things safer in the United States.

 

If we make it harder to get a driver's license, we will need to build walkable, bikeable cities, solid public transport in cities, and passenger rail between cities.

Another part of this debate seems to revolve around whether motorists are good or evil. My answer is "yes and no". Yes, some drivers are evil. It seems that some motorists should not be allowed to operate a bicycle, much less a car. However, most motorists are not evil. They have just been put in a situation that is beyond their capacity. We should not put most people in that situation (take away their driver's licenses).