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Freakonomics Radio

548. Why Is the U.S. So Good at Killing Pedestrians?

Jul 6, 2023
44:57

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The design of roads in the US, prioritizing car movement and high speeds, contributes to the increase in pedestrian deaths.
  • Distracted driving, including cell phone use and inattentional blindness, is a major factor in pedestrian deaths.

Deep dives

The Danger of Pedestrian Deaths in the US

Pedestrian deaths in the US have been on the rise, with the rate per mile driven being the highest in over 40 years. Even during the pandemic, pedestrian deaths continued to increase. The US has a higher death rate compared to other high-income countries. The podcast explores the reasons behind this trend, highlighting factors such as larger and faster cars, increased distractions, road design prioritizing cars over pedestrians, and the use of the 85th percentile rule for setting speed limits.

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