An Attempt to Create Empathy in Drivers
One of the issues that continually bedevils the members of the Streetsblog Network is how to get drivers to slow down and pay attention.
Photo by Michele McDonald of the Boston Globe via How We Drive.Tom Vanderbilt, author of the book Traffic and keeper of the How We Drive blog, writes about one such effort in the community of Needham, MA. As the Boston Globe reports, Needham is posting signs in school zones that feature a child's drawings and hand-written plea to "Slow Down!!! You May Hurt the Future."
Vanderbilt has this to say:
Part of me can’t help but to look at those “child-like” signs, meant to engender feelings of empathy for the nearby children, and think they almost say more about the drivers. We often hear about how children are “unpredictable” and do things like cross at inappropriate moments, butto look at the behavior of drivers through these school areas it is they who seem to be behaving without the appropriate amount of control and risk-awareness.
Do you think signs like the ones in Needham might trigger better behavior in otherwise apathetic drivers? Or do you agree with one of Vanderbilt's commenters, who wrote: "These signs are more effective at appealing to people’s better natures, but not everyone HAS a better nature. We need bollards here in Mass."
Also today on the network: Transportation for America has a handy table comparing the House and Senate transportation stimulus proposals; Hub and Spokes reports on how stimulus funds might pay for transit operating costs in the Twin Cities; and The Overhead Wire has some thoughts on Obama's sprawl pronouncement, which got the network so excited yesterday.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
EXCLUSIVE: OMNY Debuts on Fair Fares After Delays
The long-awaited Fair Fares expansion will launch as a three-month pilot for a few dozen riders.
Good Luck Docking Your Citi Bike In Lower Manhattan
Many frustrated commuters to Lower Manhattan opted to simply abandon their Citi Bikes undocked due to the lack of open spots in the area.
Wednesday’s Headlines: ‘ACE’ in the Hole Edition
The MTA approved a $141-million contract to put hundreds of new automated traffic enforcement cameras on buses. Plus more news.
Trump Trial Street Closures Push Pedestrians, Cyclists into Busy Traffic
News vans have dangerously blocked the sidewalk and bike lane on Lafayette Street daily since Donald Trump's trial began nearby two weeks ago.
Eyes On The Street: Coastal Resiliency Causes Mess For Pedestrians and Cyclists
Unfortunately for cyclists and pedestrians, this situation won't be fixed until "at least 2026.”
