Megacar Crisis
Basics
Senator Calls on Feds to Mandate ‘Frontover’ Cameras on Huge Cars — But It Won’t Save Enough Lives
A Connecticut senator is calling for federal action on megacars that are too big for drivers to see children right in front of them — but not necessarily by making vehicles smaller, which could save lives in other kinds of crashes, too.
August 17, 2022
Can Auto Enthusiasts Help Fight Car Dependency?
A new video about the dangers of car dependency by a popular automotive vlogger is prompting a conversation about how people who love cars can help dismantle a transportation system that privileges autos above all else.
July 25, 2022
The First Step to Ending Pedestrian Deaths? Tax Heavy Cars In Cities
Washington is the first city in the nation to propose a targeted charge by vehicle weight, but even that ambitious policy falls short of similar weight charges in other countries.
July 7, 2022
ANALYSIS: These Advocates Want You to Deflate Your Neighbor’s SUV Tires
A secretive network of activists are deflating SUV tires in urban neighborhoods around the world to physically force their drivers to find less dangerous and polluting ways to get around — and in the process, they're prompting a conversation about the role of illegal direct action in the movement to end car dependence.
June 28, 2022
Advocates: It’s Time To Tell NHTSA to Make Cars Safer For Walkers
For the first time in U.S. history, federal regulators are taking steps to help ensure vehicles are safer for those outside cars. Here are a few important aspects of this complex issue and how you can comment.
April 28, 2022
Japan’s ‘Old Enough!’ Sparks Questions About Car-Dependent US Childhoods
A long-running Japanese TV show challenges young children to navigate their cities without adult supervision, making us wonder why American cities are so comparatively hostile to kids.
April 19, 2022
Buttigieg’s New Emissions Standards Fail to Close ‘Light Truck Loophole’
U.S. DOT announced new emissions rules last week — but, once again, the strictest standards won't apply to the biggest, dirtiest cars.
April 4, 2022
Study: Megacar Drivers Up to 4x More Likely to Hit Walkers While Turning
And researchers think it's because federal regulators aren't scrutinizing the common design features that make it impossible for megacar drivers to see walkers passing right in front of them.
March 17, 2022
Fed. Vehicle Safety Rating Update Won’t Get Megacars Off the Road
A new plan to update federal consumer safety ratings for cars won't do nearly enough to incentivize automakers to build vehicles that are less likely to kill walkers, say advocates.
March 8, 2022
