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The changes in car design both from crash safety regulation, and fashion, increasing size and weight have all tended to make cars safer for the occupant, and in

The changes in car design both from crash safety regulation, and fashion, increasing size and weight have all tended to make cars safer for the occupant, and in the event of accident far more dangerous for others. So yes, cars play their part. It's about time we considered intentionally started making cars safer for pedestrians at the cost of more dangerous for the occupant. Not quite that cliche 8" knife in steering wheel where airbag used to be, but... An attentive driver placed in a car with current permitted distractions - far in excess of 30 years ago, or 70 years ago when traffic laws started accumulating - radios, hifi, visual displays and touch screen UIs that increasingly need lengthy attention rather than glance, thickening A B and C pillars over the years - for rollover, airbag and space to stick more driver toys, is to a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist a fucking liability in need of immediate life-long ban. I try and remember this attitude when I get in my car... There are no robust mechanisms to keep drivers responsible. It's expected everyone will speed, get tickets, accumulate parking violations. Penalties for offences whilst driving are often extreme in their leniency compared to same impact caused by other means. Driving offences are considered entirely separate from the "rest" of a criminal record.

maxaf 7y ago
> Penalties for offences whilst driving are often extreme in their leniency compared to same impact caused by other means. Yes, yes, absolutely. That was my point: change laws to bring punishment in line with crime.
- NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  On that point I agree wholeheartedly. Yet it doesn't, and cannot stand alone. Car design is, after regulation has been accounted for, simply ignoring or forgetting its role in safety for everyone. Cars focus way too much on driver entertainment in a super comfy place to relax, and occupant safety. Drivers are being set up to fail. That then seems to be a distinct hole in regulation. Air, rail and industrial sets up for safety first. Road design remains too car-centric. We know shared street designs with equal priority for all users increase safety for all, yet they are the exception not the rule. Cyclists and pedestrians shouldn't be second class users except on restricted highways and motorways.
  - frabbit 7y ago
    Long-distance, high-speed inter-city transport should be by railways. Inter-city should be either low-speed (max 25Km/h) electric golf-buggies, trams, buses, light-rail or cycling or walking. Cars are a temporary aberration that relied upon apparently cheap energy and resulted in a selfish, aggressive privatization of public space. Time for their misuse to be curtailed. (Leave them to the emergency services).
dancek 7y ago
Just a thought: making cars comfortable and safe for the drivers also makes them weigh A LOT. Which makes for huge emissions. If we were to consider ecology, taking a 70kg individual somewhere shouldn't be by a 2000kg vehicle. As a pedestrian/cyclist/driver I'd love to see cars that are basically motorized tents weighing something like 100kg. That would make me feel much safer when outside the car, and much more considerate of others while inside.
- frabbit 7y ago
  Yup. Nassim Taleb's skin-in-the-game definitely comes into play when we are considering collisions.
- NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  You're right. Even a tax break to encourage the Japanese mini cars, in the same bracket as the European Smart car would be a step in the right direction for EVs. The old 60s-90s mini is about half the size and weight of the new one that would be better called a 'Huge'. We shouldn't keep hauling around 1-2 tonnes. Considering the number of vehicles that are single occupant, it's an incredible waste, and mostly needless. That's quite apart from what could be saved by appropriate public transport.

maxaf 7y ago

> Penalties for offences whilst driving are often extreme in their leniency compared to same impact caused by other means. Yes, yes, absolutely. That was my point: change laws to bring punishment in line with crime.

NeedMoreTea 7y ago
On that point I agree wholeheartedly. Yet it doesn't, and cannot stand alone. Car design is, after regulation has been accounted for, simply ignoring or forgetting its role in safety for everyone. Cars focus way too much on driver entertainment in a super comfy place to relax, and occupant safety. Drivers are being set up to fail. That then seems to be a distinct hole in regulation. Air, rail and industrial sets up for safety first. Road design remains too car-centric. We know shared street designs with equal priority for all users increase safety for all, yet they are the exception not the rule. Cyclists and pedestrians shouldn't be second class users except on restricted highways and motorways.
- frabbit 7y ago
  Long-distance, high-speed inter-city transport should be by railways. Inter-city should be either low-speed (max 25Km/h) electric golf-buggies, trams, buses, light-rail or cycling or walking. Cars are a temporary aberration that relied upon apparently cheap energy and resulted in a selfish, aggressive privatization of public space. Time for their misuse to be curtailed. (Leave them to the emergency services).

dancek 7y ago

Just a thought: making cars comfortable and safe for the drivers also makes them weigh A LOT. Which makes for huge emissions. If we were to consider ecology, taking a 70kg individual somewhere shouldn't be by a 2000kg vehicle. As a pedestrian/cyclist/driver I'd love to see cars that are basically motorized tents weighing something like 100kg. That would make me feel much safer when outside the car, and much more considerate of others while inside.

frabbit 7y ago
Yup. Nassim Taleb's skin-in-the-game definitely comes into play when we are considering collisions.
NeedMoreTea 7y ago
You're right. Even a tax break to encourage the Japanese mini cars, in the same bracket as the European Smart car would be a step in the right direction for EVs. The old 60s-90s mini is about half the size and weight of the new one that would be better called a 'Huge'. We shouldn't keep hauling around 1-2 tonnes. Considering the number of vehicles that are single occupant, it's an incredible waste, and mostly needless. That's quite apart from what could be saved by appropriate public transport.