Reckless driving is all over American roads — but it's even more common in our car commercials, video games, action movies, and social media feeds, often with none of the tragic consequences that happen in real life. But how much of our roadway death crisis can be blamed on our media culture, and how can we stop motorists from mimicking what they see on so many of their screens?
That's the question at the heart of a fascinating new documentary, "Power Trip" from investigative reporter Myron Levin, featuring hard-hitting interviews with experts, advocates, traffic victims and their survivors — many of whom will be familiar faces to Streetsblog readers. We don't usually feature full-length films for Friday video, but we encourage you to take a longer break today and watch this one.
Friday Video: How Violent Media Makes Road Violence Worse
From video games to movies to social media trends, the glamorization of road violence is everywhere — and a new documentary seeks to expose how that translates to real lives lost.
Read More:
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday Video: Should We Stop Calling Them ‘Low-Traffic Neighborhoods’?
Is it time for London's game-changing urban design concept to get a rebrand?
Friday’s Headlines Yearn to Breathe Free
While EVs aren't the be-all end-all, especially when it comes to traffic safety, they do make the air cleaner. Most of the U.S. is falling behind on their adoption, though.
Talking Headways Podcast: One Year of Congestion Pricing
Danny Pearlstein of New York City's Riders Alliance breaks down how advocates made congestion pricing happen in the Big Apple.
Improving Road Safety Is A Win For The Climate, Too
Closing the notorious "fatality target" loophole wouldn't just save lives — it'd help save the human species from climate catastrophe, too.
Delivery Workers Are the Safest Cyclists On the Road, Study Finds
Deliveristas are less likely to engage in roadway behaviors that endanger pedestrians or themselves. So why are they so villainized?
The Cup Runneth Over With Thursday’s Headlines
Density lends itself to an abundance of transportation options and an abundance of money saved by not driving, writes David Zipper.
