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> I would love to see small cars like these come into more widespread use in the the U.S While I agree with the sentiment, I don't think this is possible. The

> I would love to see small cars like these come into more widespread use in the the U.S While I agree with the sentiment, I don't think this is possible. The first layer of the many problems is that people don't have unlimited funds to purchase multiple vehicles. Remember that every vehicle must also be insured. This means they must make a selection based on life's realities. For a family, in most urban areas in the US, that means highway travel to go just-about everywhere, including shopping for food, school and work. A relatively small percentage of people in most towns have the luxury of living so close to work, school, stores, church, whatever, to be able to use this type of vehicle. And then you have the issues you alude to: Speed and size. My street, which is in a nice neighborhood, is supposed to have a 25 mph speed limit. I can't tell you how many people who live here fly down this street doing 40 to 50 mph. It's mind blowing, really. If you can't be considerate in your own neighborhood, I hate to think what someone might be like on the highway. I have almost been hit a few times in the 25 years I've lived here just coming out of my driveway. People are moving so fast that you look right and left, it's clear and, when you are on the road someone suddenly is right on your ass. It's terrible. We've had multiple neighbors call the police for some enforcement. They put on a bit of a show and nothing happens (those signs showing your speed). They don't want to write dozens of tickets on a neighborhood street. They have more important things to look after, I guess. And so, most people look at a car like this and think "That would be nice, but...". I suppose there might be a potential future where self driving cars might be software-limited to maximum speeds based on where they might be and actually cooperate to increase safety (the car coming down the street knows my car is pulling out onto the street and plans appropriately, etc.). I think that's the only hope really. Which means it is at least 25 years away.

y-curious 3y ago
Where do you live, just curious? Is it suburbs or city?
- robomartin 3y ago
  Suburbs.
bkettle 3y ago
What does your residential street look like? My guess is that is is wide and has no physical traffic calming features to make it uncomfortable to drive fast. If you and your neighbors want to slow people down on the street, you should fight for measures that make people feel like they should go slow naturally. Studies have shown [1, 2] that drivers often base their speed more on the "design speed" of the road more than the posted speed limit---and this likely resonates with most drivers. Certainly software limits on self-driving cars would solve the speed issue, but I don't think that is the only hope---nor do I think it (or self driving cars in general) is the best answer. [1]: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9354/17c4dca8e52a2a4920bd9eaa156f66b27556.pdf https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9354/17c4dca8e52a2a4920bd9e... [2]: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/19/8143 https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/19/8143
kibwen 3y ago
> Remember that every vehicle must also be insured. The vehicles in the OP aren't in the same vehicle class as cars. For example, you aren't required to get insurance or have a license to ride a bike. These are basically just e-bikes with a passenger seat (or alternatively, electric mopeds), which may or may not require insurance based on your jurisdiction (usually maximum speed is the determining factor).
- robomartin 3y ago
  I would not drive anything on the road without insurance. Imagine if someone were to hit you and leave the scene after causing serious injury. Or, of course, the culprit does not have insurance or is under-insured. The bottom line is you could be a serious financial trouble if you are not insured. You can also be sued if you hit someone or cause injury. In the US, it simply isn't smart to expose yourself by not having insurance for activities where injury or liability could be a factor. An unrelated example: I have been flying model airplanes and helicopters for decades. I have a million dollars insurance to cover that activity.

y-curious 3y ago

Where do you live, just curious? Is it suburbs or city?

robomartin 3y ago
Suburbs.

bkettle 3y ago

What does your residential street look like? My guess is that is is wide and has no physical traffic calming features to make it uncomfortable to drive fast. If you and your neighbors want to slow people down on the street, you should fight for measures that make people feel like they should go slow naturally. Studies have shown [1, 2] that drivers often base their speed more on the "design speed" of the road more than the posted speed limit---and this likely resonates with most drivers. Certainly software limits on self-driving cars would solve the speed issue, but I don't think that is the only hope---nor do I think it (or self driving cars in general) is the best answer. [1]: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9354/17c4dca8e52a2a4920bd9eaa156f66b27556.pdf https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9354/17c4dca8e52a2a4920bd9e... [2]: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/19/8143 https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/19/8143

kibwen 3y ago

> Remember that every vehicle must also be insured. The vehicles in the OP aren't in the same vehicle class as cars. For example, you aren't required to get insurance or have a license to ride a bike. These are basically just e-bikes with a passenger seat (or alternatively, electric mopeds), which may or may not require insurance based on your jurisdiction (usually maximum speed is the determining factor).

robomartin 3y ago
I would not drive anything on the road without insurance. Imagine if someone were to hit you and leave the scene after causing serious injury. Or, of course, the culprit does not have insurance or is under-insured. The bottom line is you could be a serious financial trouble if you are not insured. You can also be sued if you hit someone or cause injury. In the US, it simply isn't smart to expose yourself by not having insurance for activities where injury or liability could be a factor. An unrelated example: I have been flying model airplanes and helicopters for decades. I have a million dollars insurance to cover that activity.