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After lots of car-watching in the Mission, I've concluded there's no (transportation) reason for cars to ever go over 20mph on urban streets. It doesn't make anything faster. They just brake harder at the stop sign or wait longer at the next red light.
Often, after a driver is delayed for some reason:
- stop sign
- ped in crosswalk
- slowing to go around a Slow Streets sign
...they will rapidly accelerate for a moment, before, as noted, braking again.
- stop sign
- ped in crosswalk
- slowing to go around a Slow Streets sign
...they will rapidly accelerate for a moment, before, as noted, braking again.
The function of these >20mph bursts seems to be to assert aggression and dominance, or work off frustration. Maybe they're afraid of running late for something. Maybe they're stressed in general. Plenty of reason to be these days!
Going zoom-zoom lets drivers feel in control.
Going zoom-zoom lets drivers feel in control.
These micro-tantrums are a bit like yelling a swear word when you stub your toe, except if cussing also had the potential to injure and even kill people around you. Which is why this is not a good pressure release valve.
There's lots of hype about self-driving/AV tech supposedly improving safety. Well, the tech already exists for cars to know when they're on a city street, and refuse to exceed 20mph.
If we're serious about using tech to improve safety, this should become standard. /end
If we're serious about using tech to improve safety, this should become standard. /end
