Jessie Singer, an investigative journalist and author, shares her insights on the complexities of accidents and safety. Inspired by the tragic loss of her best friend, she challenges common narratives that blame individuals for accidents instead of addressing systemic issues. Jessie discusses the interplay between personal stories and societal structures, examining how pedestrian safety has been overlooked in favor of vehicle rights. With a focus on accountability, she argues for a shift in perspective to prioritize safety and prevent future tragedies.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Eric's Death
Jessie Singer's best friend, Eric Ng, was killed while cycling on a separated bike path.
A drunk driver entered the path, drove for over a mile, and hit Eric at 60 mph.
insights INSIGHT
Simplistic Blame
Initial focus on blaming the drunk driver as the sole cause of the accident.
However, this simplistic narrative overlooks systemic issues contributing to the tragedy.
question_answer ANECDOTE
History Repeats
Eleven years later, a similar incident occurred on the same bike path, resulting in eight deaths and 11 injuries.
This second incident highlighted the systemic issues present in the path's design.
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Wes Marshall's "Killed by a Traffic Engineer" is a critical examination of the American transportation system, arguing that prioritizing mobility over safety has led to numerous preventable deaths. The book challenges the notion that scientific principles guide road design and construction, revealing how flawed priorities and a lack of comprehensive safety considerations result in dangerous infrastructure. Marshall exposes the systemic issues that contribute to traffic fatalities, advocating for a fundamental shift in approach to prioritize safety and reduce the tragic loss of life on American roads. The book's analysis extends beyond technical details, exploring the broader societal implications of prioritizing speed and convenience over human safety. Ultimately, it calls for a radical rethinking of how roads are designed and built in the United States.
Unsafe at Any Speed
The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile
Ralph Nader
Published in 1965, 'Unsafe at Any Speed' by Ralph Nader exposed the potential dangers of American cars and the automotive industry's resistance to improving safety. The book focused on various design flaws, such as the Chevrolet Corvair's steering system, and criticized the industry for prioritizing style and cost over consumer safety. It led to the passage of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act in 1966 and the establishment of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The book's impact extended beyond legislation, influencing public perception of vehicle safety and driving consumer advocacy efforts[2][3][4].
On the Escape of Tigers: An Ecologic Note
On the Escape of Tigers: An Ecologic Note
Dr. William Hayden
There Are No Accidents
Jessie Singer
Work-accidents and the law
Crystal Eastman
My best friend was killed but why would someone drive a vehicle down a pedestrian walkway? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think.
In this episode of How Did It Make Sense?, I sit down with investigative journalist and author Jessie Singer to challenge the way we think about accidents. Inspired by her book There Are No Accidents. Jessie shares the story of her best friend’s death, a so-called accident that, years later, played out in near-identical fashion with devastating results. But was it really just down to bad luck and poor choices, or was something bigger at play?
We explore the uncomfortable truth about how blame obscures the real causes of harm, from road safety to workplace incidents. We unpack how narratives of individual failure let flawed systems off the hook, and why real change only happens when we stop treating accidents as inevitable. Whether you're in safety, leadership, or just want to see the world differently, this is an episode that will change the way you think about risk, responsibility, and the structures that shape our lives.
Resources Recommended:
Work Accidents and the Law" by Crystal Eastman: This seminal work is available for free online through the Internet Archive.
On the Escape of Tigers: An Ecologic Note" by Dr. William Haddon Jr.: This classic paper can be accessed through the American Journal of Public Health.
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How did it make sense? 
