Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

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.

bostonglobe.jpgPhoto 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:

Partof me can’t help but to look at those “child-like” signs, meant toengender feelings of empathy for the nearby children, and think theyalmost 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 isthey who seem to be behaving without the appropriate amount of controland 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 Los Angeles

July 2024 Metro Board Meeting: Ridership Up, Security Measures, LAX, and More

LAX station will open this November. Metro will expand security measures, from TAP-to-Exit to turnstile hardening. Plus more Metro action!

July 25, 2024

Covina to Begin Construction on Recreation Village

The new facility will be next to the Metrolink station and include a variety of opportunities for fitness and amusement

July 25, 2024

Incomplete Streets Part 2: in OC Caltrans Ignores Caltrans Policy on Bike and Pedestrian Needs

Caltrans has a policy requiring Complete Streets in its projects, but Caltrans Districts routinely ignore it

July 24, 2024
See all posts