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

What’s Wrong With a Car-Centric System? New Video Explains It All

We're a little bit enamored with this video, produced by the Mexican office of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy and brought to our attention by Copenhagenize.

It's less than four minutes long, yet it effectively and simply explains many of the most important concepts in transportation policy, including three of my personal favorites: driving subsidies, induced demand and externalities.

Really, this problem -- promoting car traffic, despite the high costs to society -- is simple enough to explain. Hopefully public education campaigns like this can help Mexico and other developing countries avoid making the same mistakes the United States has made. If not, how long until we see rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma spike in Mexico, India and China?

Elsewhere on the Network today: The Get Around Blog considers the public backlash to Chicago's proposed speeding camera legislation and wonders why we've developed such a casual attitude toward speeding. PubliCola shares the news that Seattle is considering yet another smart zoning change -- this one would make it easier for walkable corner stores to set up shop in city neighborhoods. And Bike Delaware, inspired by Tom Vanderbilt's recent article on America's walking crisis in Slate, turns a critical eye to the local conditions for pedestrians.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

SGV Connect 136: Here Comes the Olympics

What to the Olympics hold for the San Gabriel Valley in 2028? Damien talks with Alissa Walker, co-host of the L.A. Podcast and editor of Torched.

May 30, 2025

Streets for All and KidSafe SF Merge

Streets For All is merging with KidSafe SF to expand the reach of both organizations, accelerate progress on reducing traffic deaths, and increase sustainable transportation options for all Californians

May 29, 2025

What’s Really Great About the LAX Metro Station Opening on June 6

Spoiler: it's not all about connecting people to the airport, but building a useful interconnected transit network

May 28, 2025
See all posts