There is currently much discussion in the media about punishments for drunk driving, and Friday there was a response rally from bicycle advocacy group Critical Mass.
Portland is one of the most bike friendly cities in the U.S. And yet, shit like this happens. Raising the penalty for drunk driving isn't gonna solve this.
So many people die on the roads, it's not just bicyclists. Yeah, we can invent new technology that beeps when we come to a red light, with built-in computer maps and airbags. We can buy bigger and bigger cars so that at least if we get in an accident, we'll win. But fuck that.
my solution: get rid of privately owned automobiles.
highways and individual car ownership didn't just BAM happen. The car companies made it happen. Corporations influenced the government and created a soceity that centers around and makes money for their businesses.
Imagine a world where that decision had been different. Where instead of building highways, the government built safe, efficient, eco-friendly public transit systems. But, even though we don't have that world, i don't think it's too late. We're in a hole so we should stop fucking digging already. We need to stop buying, selling and making cars. And more importantly, close down gas stations. Since the highway systems are already in place, we can perhaps use them for buses, until they become too broken down and at that point, we can replace them with light-rail type transit.
and think of all the problems the elimination of private automobile ownership would solve
2) millions in hospital and insurance dollars saved
3) decrease in police budgets to pay for cops to enforce speed laws. maybe we can spend that money on re-habilitating our school systems?
4) huge decrease in harmful emmissions into the environment
5) huge decrease in consumption of natural resources, and thus less imperial wars fought over oil (although, i'm sure the military industrial complex would find other ways to exploit 3rd world nations)
6) more dependability in travel (no trafffic jams.)
7) higher levels of fitness due to more excersise friendly modes of travel (bikes, etc)
8) no more road rage
i realize this is an idealistic vision, but i think the world could use a bit more of this type of thinking. Obviously, there are jobs, money and power riding on the system that's currently in place, and it won't be over thrown easily. But, in order to get there eventually, we have to think big. down with cars.