Traffic

Tom Vanderbilt

Jul 2008 · Sold by Vintage

About this ebook

A New York Times Notable Book

One of the Best Books of the Year
The Washington Post • The Cleveland Plain-Dealer • Rocky Mountain News

In this brilliant, lively, and eye-opening investigation, Tom Vanderbilt examines the perceptual limits and cognitive underpinnings that make us worse drivers than we think we are. He demonstrates why plans to protect pedestrians from cars often lead to more accidents. He uncovers who is more likely to honk at whom, and why. He explains why traffic jams form, outlines the unintended consequences of our quest for safety, and even identifies the most common mistake drivers make in parking lots. Traffic is about more than driving: it's about human nature. It will change the way we see ourselves and the world around us, and it may even make us better drivers.

Ratings and reviews

Leaves me feeling that people generally don't know much about why or how they do things, know little and care less about the other guy, but think they know more than they do about everything. The most apparently dangerous situations are actually safer - we're forced to pay attention. Compelling illustration of principle that a huge percentage of what goes on in our lives is actually out of our control, though we think it's not.

This book provided the understanding of how we think and why we design traffic flow like we do. Opens your eyes and mind to understanding round abouts, bike lanes, GPS route impacts and much more. Written in a non textbook way to make it a fairly easy read with good flow.

Fascinating. For a long time I've been amazed at how outraged we get over product and process safety, but how incredibly blase we are about the thousands killed in car accidents each year. Everyone who drives should read this, and usability practitioners are likely to find it especially interesting. There is, in truth, an overwhelming amount of information, but I can't think what parts should be cut. Recommended.

About the author

Tom Vanderbilt writes about design, technology, science and culture for Wired, Slate, The New York Times and other publications. He lives in Brooklyn and drives a 2001 Volvo V40.

www.howwedrive.com