David Zipper, a senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative and an expert in urban planning, discusses the alarming trend of 'car bloat' in North America. He explains how SUVs and pickup trucks dominate new car sales, raising safety concerns for pedestrians and other drivers. Zipper highlights the fiscal burden of larger vehicles and contrasts them with Japan's efficient K cars. The conversation sheds light on the emotional and financial implications behind consumer preferences, as well as potential solutions to tackle this growing problem.

David Zipper, a senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative and a Vox contributor, dives into the alarming rise in pedestrian fatalities linked to larger vehicles. He discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's groundbreaking proposals for new safety regulations targeting oversized trucks and SUVs. The conversation highlights how these changes aim to protect pedestrians, explores the cultural shift towards bigger vehicles, and critiques the automotive industry's response to enhance safety. Zipper emphasizes the urgent need for stricter regulations to ensure safety for all road users.