Why are American roads so dangerous?

Also today: Citizen scientists are mapping urban hot zones, and how the humble boxcar can make cities more livable.

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When it comes to roadway safety, the US is a global outlier: American traffic deaths keep rising, even as fatal crashes fall in most other countries. More than 42,000 Americans died in traffic in 2021 — the highest level in 16 years. In contrast, Helsinki and Oslo saw zero pedestrian deaths in 2019. Digital distractions and recklessness intensified by unrest during the pandemic likely contributed to crashes. But a closer look at the American situation suggests deeper, structural causes, rooted in the country's roads, the cars residents like to drive, and the policies lawmakers pursue. Still, there are some promising safety efforts underway, with the Vision Zero campaign showing hopeful results in New York City. Follow our coverage of the issue today on CityLab: What's Driving the US Traffic Safety Crisis? — Amelia Pollard More on CityLab

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