What if the problem with cars was not their method of propulsion? [Science and Technology Podcast] | Epthinktank | European Parliament
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The European automotive industry is striving to adapt to market changes driven by the dual green and digital transition.

Crossposted from https://feddit.de/post/9957917

Instead of just electrifying vehicles, cities should be investing in alternative methods of transportation. This article is by the Scientific Foresight Unit of the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), a EU’s own think tank.

  • tunetardis@lemmy.ca
    57·
    8 months ago

    When anti-lock braking systems (ABS) were first introduced in premium cars, accidents increased initially for that sector owing to driver over-confidence. The same effect is again being seen with modern driving assist systems. Since large vehicles are especially safe for their occupants at low speeds, this has a pernicious effect on driver attention, consequently increasing casualty figures for other road users. Every year there are fewer victims of car accidents – but not among pedestrians, cyclists and other light vehicle users.

    My driving instructor years ago: “The plain fact of the matter is if you replaced airbags with spring-loaded spikes that shoot out of the steering column, the streets would be far safer.”

    • troutsushi@feddit.de
      13·
      8 months ago

      Seeing that deploying airbags hit like a fist to the face and regularly break noses, maybe reframing airbags as airbombs would suffice as a deterrent.

      • Qwazpoi@lemmy.world
        2·
        8 months ago

        There’s actually a whole bunch of laws regarding airbag inflators, a lot of which is because of their potential to be damaging to the environment and hazardous because of chemicals, but some of it’s because those are basically explosives or at least they used to be. So in a lot of places scrap yards take those out first thing because people aren’t allowed to buy them.

        I guess that’s my meandering way of saying that air bomb is pretty much on point

  • GBU_28@lemm.eeEnglish
    13·
    8 months ago

    Modern urbanism should expand into new territory and revamp territory it already has. That’s the quickest and safest method to separate cars from pedestrians.

    In this way cars are pushed out to places they are needed: long haul trips to unpredictable or unsupported destinations. Or very custom time sensitive routes with much luggage/pickups.

    Every tool for it’s own job, but right now due to poor systems people are using a wrench as a hammer to get around busy places that public transport would literally serve well.