The Brake Podcast: How Many People Does Car Culture Kill, Exactly?
One in 32 people around the world die from car crashes, car-related air pollution, and car-related lead exposure every year. But even the astonishing number doesn't tell the whole story.
By
Streetsblog
12:02 AM EDT on March 12, 2024
Sustainable transportation advocates know all the stats about how many people die in car crashes on global roads every year. But what about all the deaths and injuries that car culture causes — not to mention all the other ways it diminishes and destroys our communities?
On this episode of The Brake, we’re bringing you an extended interview with the lead author of a new literature review that took on the impossible task of answering that question, and offered an astonishing glimpse into the many “car harms” that researchers around the world have tried to quantify. And then, we talk a little bit about how the costs of automobility measure up against its supposed benefits — and what it will take to shift the balance sheet towards human-scaled places.
Listen in, and read a shareable digest of Miner’s paper here.
This story is the work of the Streetsblog staff.
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
Thursday’s Headlines Are Another Front in the Culture War
David Zipper explains how transportation, once an issue with broad consensus, became politically polarized.
October 8, 2026
Does the ‘Week Without Driving’ Give Car-Free Living A Bad Rap?
Nope; automobility does that! But there's more we can do to highlight the benefits of active and shared transportation, and demand even better for people outside vehicles.
October 8, 2026
Wednesday’s Headlines Come Not to Bury Caesar
Why is public transportation the only thing Donald Trump doesn't want to build?
October 7, 2026
NYC to Test-Run Bus-Mounted Cameras To Catch Bike Lane Blockers
DOT and the MTA are finally getting ready to expand automatic enforcement to ding drivers who block bike lanes.
October 7, 2026
Pittsburgh Goes All-In On ‘Week Without Driving’ By Celebrating New Bus Lanes
The Steel City is celebrating the Week without Driving ... and some shiny new bus lanes.
October 7, 2026