Traffic

Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us) by Tom Vanderbilt Summary: In this brilliant, lively, and eye-opening investigation, Tom Vanderbilt examines the perceptual limits and cognitive underpinnings that make us worse drivers than we think we are. He demonstrates why plans to protect pedestrians from cars often lead to more accidents. He uncovers who is more likely to honk at whom, and why. He explains why traffic jams form, outlines the unintended consequences of our quest for safety, and even identifies the most common mistake drivers make in parking lots. Traffic is about more than driving: it's about human nature. It will change the way we see ourselves and the world around us, and it may even make us better drivers. Angie's Comments: What I learned from this book: the ideas I had about traffic and safety while driving are wrong. Once Vanderbilt explains the reason that some safety features make traffic more dangerous, they seem obvious and I can’t help but wonder why I couldn’t see it before. As a pedestrian and driver, I can only hope that Traffic will change my driving and walking for the better. Recommended for non-fiction readers who drive. Ideally, I would recommend it to everyone, but only so many readers like nonfiction. Request this item