Cars of course are deathmobiles, causing 40,000 deaths a year in the U.S., worldwide the third most preventable cause of death, according to the World Health Organization.
But now we have two opposing twists going on. First, the IBM of the auto world, Toyota, has safety concerns. Meaning no car is safe. Second, the auto companies are trying to make cars even more dangerous by installing Internet and movie connections in autos. The dual effect is going to be a massive concern over safety.
As we have predicted, this will culminate between 2015 and 2017 in the tipping point in the decline of the auto. Someone so famous and so important (not a movie star, someone important) dies in an auto crash that Americans will say "enough is enough" with the auto.
About ten years ago the President of our university in town was killed in an auto crash. I will also remember sitting down at the dinner table that night and one of our kids, totally unaware of the accident, was wearing a Deathmobile T-shirt. The kids know.
Im designing a new car.
Posted by: jan | February 13, 2010 at 08:13 PM
In Massachusetts they are looking at banning texting in cars and the debate has extended to cell phone use in general. We had a state senator say that hands free cell phone use isn't safe option as it is the act of conversing with someone that is dangerous. So I offer this PSA, don't talk in the car, it could save your life.
Posted by: Erik Holden, NFPA Professional Development | March 04, 2010 at 01:58 PM
Thanks Erik. I agree. Studies show auto accidents decline when people stop driving!
Posted by: William Draves | March 09, 2010 at 06:12 PM