Wednesday’s Headlines Face Hard Questions
Many U.S. police departments cut back on enforcing traffic laws after the George Floyd uprising. What happened next?
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on October 11, 2023
- In the post-pandemic, post-George Floyd era, police have largely stopped enforcing traffic laws. A Washington Post opinion pieces argues that decision has cost thousands of people their lives, and that stepping up enforcement by camera is the best way to catch bad drivers without involving humans’ racial bias.
- Governing interviewed planner and author Veronica O. Davis about equity in transportation and righting the wrongs of the past.
- Since the U.S. has planned around cars for decades and refuses to properly invest in transit, most people need a car. But cheap cars, like cheap starter homes, are going extinct. (Discourse)
- Flying taxis are coming by 2025, and they really mean it this time! (Smart Cities Dive)
- Based on the recent New York City flood, The Nation has a pretty bleak take on how the powers that be are responding to climate change, and the limits of design solutions in political environments that makes it impossible for cities to implement them.
- Meanwhile, the NY Times is publishing more drivel about how drivers can’t find a parking spot.
- A Minnesota study found that lowering speed limits does have an effect on how fast drivers go. (Crossroads)
- Denverite proposes some ideas for transforming the massive Federal Boulevard-Coulfax Avenue interchange.
- The I-81 viaduct in Syracuse is here for now, but it will come down someday, and an urban planner discusses with CNY Central what to do with it.
- Milwaukee residents have a chance to provide input onto whether North Sherman Boulevard should be a complete street. (On Milwaukee)
- The Bend Bulletin wants to know what’s more important, speed or safety? (Spoiler alert: safety.)
- Australians are throwing their cars on the barbie and riding e-bikes instead. (The Guardian)
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Talking Headways Podcast: The Logistics of Package Delivery
Benjamin Fong on out how e-commerce companies like Amazon have built their logistics systems and the difficulty of last-mile delivery.
April 30, 2026
Survey Says: Empathy Is the Key To Getting Motorists to Drive Safer
Too many drivers are blind to their own role in the traffic violence crisis. Could human stories finally get them to pay attention?
April 30, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Fight for Your Rights
Louisiana v. Callais is not going to work out well for anyone who supports transit or equity in transportation.
April 30, 2026
Commentary: This Bike Month, Let’s Pedal More to Cut Pain at the Pump
As gas prices set record highs, biking is a cost-effective (and fun!) alternative
April 30, 2026
S.F. Advocates Mark One Year of Speed Cameras
Now, San Francisco: do the other things a city needs to make streets safe.
April 29, 2026