Wednesday’s Headlines Are Too Fast, Too Furious
When it comes to speeding, why don't regulators and automakers save drivers from themselves?
By
Blake Aued
12:24 AM EST on November 29, 2023
- After last weekend’s fiery crash at Niagara Falls, Slate wonders why anyone is allowed to own a vehicle that can go 175 miles per hour. If the National Transportation Safety Board had its way, cars would be equipped with speed governors. (Fast Company)
- Global emissions from motor vehicles fell by four percent between 2010 and 2022, but they would have fallen 30 percent without the trend toward bigger trucks and SUVs, according to a new study. (The Guardian)
- The key argument against car dependency is one of fairness, according to a London School of Economics scholar. Advocates should focus on how reforms meet basic needs and against the perception that something is being taken away.
- The Washington Post interviewed rails-to-trails advocate Ryan Chao about the opportunities presented by turning abandoned rail infrastructure into spaces for walking and biking.
- Mixed-use, compact development that discourages driving is dependent on well-connected street grids, according to a new study. (CNU Public Square)
- MinnPost takes issue with a recent Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial on light rail safety, arguing that turnstiles are unfeasible and Metro Transit should use human fare checkers instead.
- Nashville is shooting for another transit referendum in November 2024. (Scene)
- Post-pandemic, the San Diego trolley is the busiest light rail line in the U.S. with 34 million riders last year. (Axios)
- Honolulu has worked out a deal with the Federal Transit Administration to free up the final $125 million for a long-delayed light rail line. (Civil Beat)
- With 66 traffic deaths so far this year, Portland is on a record pace. (KOIN)
- With nearly 400,000 residents, Arlington, Texas, is the largest city in the U.S. without any form of fixed-route mass transit. (Fort Worth Report)
- Utility Austin Energy is doubling its e-bike rebate program. (Monitor)
- Charlotte is reopening dedicated bus lanes on Independence Boulevard. (Queen City News)
- Construction has started on Oklahoma City’s first protected bike lane. (The Oklahoman)
- The New York Times ran a feature on Peachtree City, the Atlanta suburb where everyone gets around by golf cart.
- This Toronto wedding was truly a streetcar named desire. (Yahoo)
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:
More from Streetsblog USA
Michigan Bill Would Require Seniors to Regularly Re-Take Their Drivers’ Tests
...but would it really make roads safer?
April 8, 2026
Wednesday’s Headlines Have Good News and Bad News
Traffic deaths are back down to their pre-pandemic levels, but there is still much work left to be done.
April 8, 2026
How To Push A Livable Streets Project Forward — Even in the Era of Federal Clawbacks
A livable streets superstar is launching a new organization to push forward some of America's most iconic sustainable streets projects — even if Congress is clawing back their funding
April 7, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines Take an Axe to Transit
The Trump administration wants to cut transit and rail funding to help pay for the war against Iran.
April 7, 2026
The Financial Costs of the Pedestrian Death Crisis Are Still Stratospheric
The human costs of the pedestrian death crisis are unacceptable even as deaths begin to fall. And the financial costs aren't any better.
April 6, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.