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BOOK ABOUT ROAD SAFETY CRISIS EARNS GREAT REVIEWS!
Description
For more than 30 years, the government has been ramming cars into walls in an effort to make car crashes safe. The public has been conditioned to believe that seatbelts, airbags and more "crashworthy" vehicles are the best ways to protect us from harm on the roads. Meanwhile, the most basic strategies to deter dangerous driving and prevent crashes have been ignored. "It's No Accident" provides a rare glimpse into how the government got seduced by the promise of "safe crashing." It then examines the major factors involved in crashes today, including speeding, aggressive driving, distractions (e.g. cell phones) and drowsy driving. The author reveals that many dangerous behaviors are now promoted by businesses, and that drivers who kill often walk away with just a small fine. This expose is a must-read for anyone concerned about what's happening on our roads and how to stop it. Now available also through Amazon.com. **Questions about this book or trouble with your order? E-mail info2@crashprevention.org
Product Details:
Printed: 304 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, black and white interior ink
Language: English
Country: United States
Price: $40.32
Edition: First Edition
ISBN: 978-1-4116-8156-9
Researched and written by the founder and executive director of the Partnership for Safe Driving, "It's No Accident" documents outrageous policies and practices in both the government and private sector that are now largely responsible for the more than 11 million crashes, 3 million injuries, and 40,000 deaths on our nation's roads each year.
The book reveals that, far from simply choosing to ignore dangerous driving, the government has decided to look the other way while companies large and small promote and encourage dangerous driving behavior; all for profit. The results have been disastrous.
"It's No Accident" includes the heart-wrenching real-life stories of victims of all different forms of dangerous driving. The book also takes a candid look at the fragmented, ineffective approach to grassroots activism that has so far defined the crash prevention movement, and offers an alternative model.
Carefully researched and documented, with more than 270 footnotes, this book is a must-read for anyone concerned about violent death and injury on our roads and how to stop it.
What others have said ....
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... Tia's father, gave me a copy of "It's No Accident" this spring, nearly a year after my son Dominick was hit in a Seattle crosswalk. Your book told our family's story and the stories of so many other families of pedestrian victims ... Your book helped me understand that $490 fines and no drivers education or loss of license for the drivers in these deadly crashes are the norm. That deadly crosswalks like the one where Dominick was run over frequently are left by the cities with no lights, no traffic calming, no sign of the lives lost there. Before I read your book I thought it was perhaps just our family or just Seattle and King County. We are so blessed that Dominick lived and is recovering steadily - recovering from traumatic brain injury is a long long road. We are appalled to see all the families we know now who have lost a child or are trying so hard to restore their child after being hit by a car. ... I have bought copies to give to some of our community and state leaders. We need a shift of great magnitude to save our loved ones on our streets. Desiree,
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... It's No Accident is loaded with facts and statistics, but that's not its strong suit. Rather it's Ms. Lewis's passion for the subject -- and for the victims of the out-of-control driving culture in this country -- that leaves the reader convinced that we need to take every step possible to change our nation's attitudes toward driving. |
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The power of this book is the totality of it--the impact that all the stories, all the statistics, all the exposure of misinterpreted statistics, all the ostrich behavior--has to be taken in as a package. There are no "sound bites" in this book. The book is written in a very readable style--not a research report or a textbook, but the written equivalent of a face-to-face discussion. Yet, it is full of documented facts. Every policy maker and legislator needs to read this book. Every driver needs to read this book to become outraged enough to pressure policy makers and legislators to stop trying to simply reduce the injuries and damage of traffic crashes and start trying to prevent those crashes. |
I hope people read this book, think about how they drive, and then CHANGE the way they drive ... I am saddened to tell you that my own daughter's death is one of the personal stories in this book. My Kristie was an innocent victim of an unnecessary police chase where the fleeing suspect went home with her mother while I watched Kristie die! After reading Chapter 9, I turned to the "Introduction" and kept on reading.
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... I really admire what you are doing and I agree with your book. it is great and it helps me to continue to articulate my position when it comes to highway safety. |
... This book has opened my eyes to what has been swooped under the carpet for such a very long time. BRAVO! |
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A much-needed, thoughtful and comprehensive analysis of public policy regarding traffic safety. Though Ralph Nader's UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED was useful in its day, the misguided pursuit of "safe crashing" since then has wasted resources and effort ... |
This is intelligent, gutsy, and sure to make a lot of people mad. Even MADD may be mad. This is a bold book that could end up saving lives. |
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Shockingly honest. I'm so used to the politically correct media, this book was refreshing and informative. The next presidential candidates better read it! |
This book is a very nuanced discussion of the problems of road safety ...
The personal stories, while tragic, are well documented and help illustrate the technical and moral issues involved. Overall, much more than I expected for a book about road safety. |
Chapter Info
Chapter 1: The Road War
This chapter provides an overview of the profound impact that car crashes are having on travel, life and health in America. With more than 11 million crashes annually on U.S. roads, major roads across the country are crippled each day by crashes. Crashes are also the leading killer for children and adults age 3 to 34, and the leading cause of long-term disability for all age groups. Chapter One provides a frank discussion of the most common types of crash injuries. It includes never-before-seen government statistics that estimate just how many people are seriously hurt in crashes each year, and how serious those injuries are.
Chapter 2: The "Science" of Safe Crashing
This chapter provides a rare glimpse into the mindset of government officials and renowned safety activists who, in the 1960s, changed the focus of traffic safety from trying to prevent crashes to merely trying to make them safer. It includes excerpts from Ralph Nader's 1965 best seller, Unsafe at Any Speed, in which he doubts the ability of humans to learn how to avoid crashing. Nader and his colleagues argued that teaching motorists to avoid crashes was not so important because, with the right equipment, car crashes could become perfectly safe. This chapter explores why seatbelts, airbags and ever-more "crashworthy" vehicles have failed to deliver on that promise.
Chapter 3: The Marketing of Speed
Chapter Three examines the speeding epidemic in America and the manner in which it is exploited by businesses for financial gain. In this chapter we see that speeding is a primary factor in the majority of serious crashes on the roads today, and that the government refuses to take even the most modest steps to intervene. The chapter includes a discussion of reckless car ads, the legal use of radar detectors and radar-jamming devices by speeders throughout the nation, and other ways in which some members of the business community and the media are exploiting America's addiction to excessive speed. Also discussed here are speed governors, which control the maximum speed of vehicles, and Event Data Recorders, which record crash impact speed, and why the government refuses to make use of this life-saving technology. In addition, we learn about the myth of the fast lane; about the emotion-based, rather than scientific, approach to setting speed limits employed by traffic engineers; and about the consequences of President Bill Clinton's decision to repeal the national 55 mph speed limit.
Chapter 4: Dial "M" for Manslaughter
This chapter examines the growing controversy surrounding the use of cell phones, computers, and other distracting devices while driving. Here we get a thorough yet concise synopsis of all the most important research related to cell phone use while driving. We also read heart-breaking real-life stories of the devastation wrought by distracted drivers. Chapter Four includes an honest look at the politics surrounding the issue - who's making money off of all of these distractions and why the Bush Administration and other elected officials refuse to take a stand against this deadly trend.
Chapter 5: The MADD Fad
This chapter takes a candid look at the only successful crash prevention movement in this country - the movement to eliminate drunk driving. The progress of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is duly noted, but we also learn about the unintended consequence of MADD's decision to define safe driving in terms of sobriety alone. Evidence is presented that drunk driving, though still a serious problem, is being exaggerated by both MADD and the federal government. Evidence is also presented that MADD is now encouraging government officials to ignore other serious problems, like distracted and drowsy driving, for fear of taking attention and resources away from the fight against drunk driving. Meanwhile, MADD appears to have lost its own will to battle drunk driving and is showing signs of corruption. One consequence of the organization's decline is the failure of government to take advantage of state-of-the-art technology now available that could effectively eliminate serial drunk driving.
Chapter 6: Like a Good Neighbor, Like Heck!
This chapter looks at the manner in which auto insurance promotes dangerous driving in this country. Specifically, it examines archaic laws and perverse incentives that help insurance companies shield dangerous drivers from financial responsibility while failing to compensate victims for their losses. This chapter provides evidence that our system of auto insurance is contributing to the staggering rate of car crashes in the U.S., and that auto insurance companies are serving not just as enablers but as willing accomplices to deadly crimes on the road. The nation's largest insurer is singled out as the company that appears to be most adept at protecting dangerous drivers while avoiding payouts to victims. Logical solutions to the problem are proposed.
Chapter 7: Violent Crime, Petty Punishment
This chapter examines the casual manner in which the court system treats illegal and irresponsible driving behavior. Specifically, it looks at the failure of our nation's reckless driving laws to clearly define and provide adequate penalties for behaviors like speeding, red-light running, distracted driving, and drowsy driving, all of which can be just as deadly as drunk driving. It describes the meager punishments often given to motorists who flagrantly ignore traffic laws and kill someone in the process. In addition, this chapter explores the problems inherent in traditional methods of traffic law enforcement, what the solutions to those problems are, and why the government refuses even to consider them. It includes a unique discussion of the benefits and pitfalls of photo enforcement technology.
Chapter 8: A Message for You
This chapter describes the enormous potential benefits of a year-round, comprehensive national safe driving campaign as a means to kick-start the entire road safety movement in this country. Here we read why there is no such campaign at present, what an effective campaign would look like, and how much it would cost. This chapter includes a review of the art and science of social marketing and explains why so many educational campaigns fail to achieve their stated goals. It also points to some important success stories. Finally, we see a proposal for a year-round campaign that the Partnership for Safe Driving presented to Congress and ponder what it might take to convince Congress to fund such a program.
Chapter 9: Fragments of a Movement
This chapter begins with a discussion of the lack of funding opportunities for grassroots road safety organizations. Then it provides an overview of each of the fledgling organizations that are trying to address some form of dangerous driving. Chapter Nine includes a summary of their goals and a report of their progress. Covered here are the movements to address deadly practices in the trucking industry, drowsy driving, police chases, teen driving, elderly driving, and the assault on pedestrian safety. An alternative to these struggling, fragmented fledgling movements is proposed.
About the Author
Lisa Lewis is founder and executive director of the national grassroots organization, the Partnership for Safe Driving. A writer by trade and a passionate health and safety activist, Lisa holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and a masters degree in developmental psychology, both from the University of Kansas.
Lisa's past employers include the Child Welfare League of America, the American Red Cross, and the Harvard School of Public Health. She currently lives in the Washington, DC area. She invites you to learn more about the Partnership for Safe Driving and how you can help by visiting www.crashprevention.org.