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Planet Money

Hear us out: We ban left turns and other big ideas

Jan 24, 2024
23:25
Snipd AI
This podcast discusses three big economic ideas: banning left turns at intersections to improve safety, addressing wealth inequality with baby bonds, and exploring the negative impact of US democracy on the economy. The episode introduces Vakash Gaya's idea for improving downtown areas and previews a daring rescue at sea in the next episode.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Banning left turns on roads can reduce overall travel time and decrease accidents.
  • Implementing baby bonds could help bridge the racial wealth gap by providing assets and opportunities to children from wealth-poor families.

Deep dives

Ban Left Turns on the Road

One big idea from the podcast episode is to ban left turns on the road. According to Vakash Gaya, a civil engineer, left turns are risky and often lead to accidents. By eliminating left turns, the overall travel time for everyone would be reduced, even though some individuals may have to travel slightly longer distances. UPS drivers already avoid left turns as part of their delivery routes. Implementing this idea would require changes to traffic regulations, such as designating certain times for no left turns.

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