Tara Goddard, an associate professor at Texas A&M University, focuses on equitable transportation systems and safe roadway design. In the discussion, she explores why people drive aggressively and how societal views around cars are shaped. The conversation delves into the term 'motonomativity,' the racial biases in driver behavior towards pedestrians, and the media's passive language that minimizes accountability in traffic incidents. Tara underscores the need for a cultural shift in how we think about streets and who they serve.
Dr. Tara Goddard discusses the concept of 'motonomativity' and its impact on societal attitudes towards car use and driving behavior.
The media's use of passive language in reporting traffic incidents contributes to victim-blaming and downplays the responsibility of drivers.
Goddard emphasizes the need for equitable transportation planning that prioritizes safety for vulnerable road users, challenging car supremacy narratives.
Deep dives
The Versatility of the Shade Bag
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Changes in Podcast Team and Future Plans
Listeners are informed that Aaron, a longtime co-host, is moving on, and the team expresses gratitude for his contributions over the years. The hosts are excited about upcoming events, including a year-end mailbag episode to celebrate their listeners. Additionally, they have introduced annual subscription options for Patreon supporters, allowing for a 10% discount, along with a monthly discount available until the end of the year. The team also highlights a live show scheduled for January in New York City, featuring Ray Delahanty from City Nerd, and mentions future live shows planned for the spring.
Dr. Tara Goddard's Research Focus
Dr. Tara Goddard, a leading scholar in understanding the effects of cars on behavior and social interactions, joins the podcast to discuss her recent work on modonormativity, windshield bias, and car brain. Her background includes a master's degree in civil engineering and experience as a transportation planner, which informs her research on creating equitable transportation systems. The discussion centers around how society overlooks the dangers of driving while excusing dangerous behaviors that lead to road violence, underscoring the need for safer roadway designs. Goddard's insights aim to reshape the way communities think about transportation planning and the prioritization of safety for all road users.
Investigating Media Representation of Traffic Incidents
Goddard's latest study addresses how the media's portrayal of traffic incidents influences public perceptions of responsibility, focusing on the use of language in reporting. Key findings reveal that passive language often leads to victim-blaming narratives, downplaying drivers' accountability in crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists. By comparing different news articles, the research demonstrates how framing can impact readers' beliefs about traffic violence and appropriate responses. The study advocates for more accurate, public health-oriented language in media reporting to promote accountability and awareness regarding traffic safety.
Cultural Implications of Driving and Policy Change
The conversation highlights the cultural and societal pressures that shape attitudes towards driving, including the normalization of aggressive behavior on the roads. Goddard argues that the overarching belief in car supremacy contributes to the reluctance to hold drivers accountable for violent incidents. There is a call for policy reforms that prioritize safe environments for vulnerable road users and address the biases ingrained in transportation planning and engineering. The need for a shift in perspective is emphasized, advocating for a more thoughtful approach to street design that reflects the diverse needs of all individuals in the community.
Why do people behave so badly behind the wheel of a car? Why do reporters and the police use passive language to describe automobile crashes and traffic violence? How do the words we use make a difference in street safety? Dr. Tara Goddard, one of the top scholars studying what it is that cars do to our brains and the way we treat each other in the world, has some thoughts — and she’s done the research.
Tara is an associate professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. Her work focuses on creating a just transportation system through safe roadway design and inclusive transportation planning.
We talked with her about “motonormativity,” how race influences how drivers treat pedestrians, and why language matters if we want to change the conversation about whom streets are for.
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This episode was produced with support from Cleverhood and Sheyd Bags. Listen for the latest discount codes.
This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded at Brooklyn Podcasting Studio by Josh Wilcox. Our music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Our transcriptions are done by Russell Gragg.
