‘Life After Cars’ with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon

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.

Fighting Traffic by Peter D. Norton provides a detailed historical analysis of how the automobile became central to urban life in America. The book documents the concerted efforts by automobile manufacturers and enthusiasts to transform city streets into spaces dominated by cars, often at the expense of pedestrian rights and other forms of transportation. It explores the social and political dynamics that led to the car-centric culture prevalent in many American cities today.