<html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> It sure is called “Motor Mania” David and others -- and if you want to check it out you will find it in our little informal “Old Mobility Evidence (Oops)” video library, fourth from left at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/groups_videos?name=oldmobility&page=2">http://www.youtube.com/groups_videos?name=oldmobility&page=2</a>   And BTW, it ain’t funny.   Eric Britton   <div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm'>   </div>   From: LotsLessCars@yahoogroups.com [mailto:LotsLessCars@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of David Nicholson Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 1:36 AM To: LotsLessCars@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [LotsLessCars] shared space   I have seen the Disney film - it was called "Motor Mania" and I think it was produced in the late 1950's. -----Original Message----- From: <a href="mailto:LotsLessCars%40yahoogroups.com">LotsLessCars@yahoogroups.com</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:LotsLessCars%40yahoogroups.com">LotsLessCars@yahoogroups.com</a>] On Behalf Of Roland Sapsford Sent: Wednesday, 29 November 2006 2:01 AM To: <a href="mailto:LotsLessCars%40yahoogroups.com">LotsLessCars@yahoogroups.com</a> Subject: Re: [LotsLessCars] shared space Hi This discussion about the psychology of traffic and driver behaviour is an interesting one and an area I have often thought neglected in literature. I wonder if there is much serious research around about perceptual distortions etc in relation to cars and car dependence. It strikes me that there is a social addiction to motor vehicles at present and this has all sorts of implications. Chris Bradshaw's suggestion below reminds me of an idea I have often thought would be effective - the penalty for speeding ought to be wheel-clamping, or some such immobilisation, for a couple of hours rather than a fine of some sort. People who speed are putting their own perceived desire for speed ahead of others wellbeing - and particularly for the better off may value this time more highly than a financial penalty. Far better I think to impose a penalty where it is their own value of time that is deducted. I also wonder if anyone recalls the details of the famous Walt Disney film about how Goofy is transformed from mild-mannered individual into angry driver simply by entering a car. Best wishes Roland Sapsford Wellington, New Zealand Chris Bradshaw wrote: > From: Carlos F. Pardo SUTP > > >> Great question. I think we lose our ability to negotiate traffic when >> we're going too fast (e.g. above 30 km/h). That's when (and why) we >> need other measures. But you're right, there are sometimes too many >> stop lights. I think we shouldn't be at any of the two opposite ends >> of enforcement vs "live and let live". >> > > This is indeed the missing factor. Higher traffic speeds is the goal > for the engineers who have added traffic controls to city streets. > When you propose shared spaces, you are proposing a "naked street," a > street lacking these controls. > > As speed increases, formalities of interaction are necessary. In a > world where speeds do not exceed walking (which was the case in cities > before the advent of railed transit), no traffic controls are > necessary. Everyone road user can simply look out for their own way, > and thereby are looking out for others' welfare simultaneously. And, > there are no "separators" such as tinted windshields to add anonymity > (which reduces the sense of accountability and guilt for collisions). > > Remember, the growth in automobility is paralleled by the growth in > average speed. Traffic controls was the focus. And any reference to "safety" > really meant that the objective was higher speeds. The price one is > willing to pay for a car is directly proportion to the expected speed > it car be driven -- as well as how often. > > Where are the treaties where walkers gave up their right to > governments and their road engineers to walk wherever, and to do so > without the contrived obstacles of traffic controls (and the "safety" justification for same)? > > Chris Bradshaw > Ottawa > > p.s., I have proposed for some time that a motorist who strikes a > pedestrian or cyclist, regardless of fault, should lose the right to > drive for as long as the vulnerable road user is unable to resume the > mode of transportation they were using at the time of the collision. > If that person dies, the driver faces a lifetime driving ban. > (Ironically, the deprivation the ensues is lessened in one lives in a > city with good transit.) > </div> </body> </html>