Weird Traffic Facts about Drivers, Accidents, and Driving

In his new book “Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do” Tom Vanderbilt uncovered a lot of surprising information by digging into driving studies. For example:

– Drivers honk less on weekends.

– Pedestrians on cell phones take longer to cross the street, and look at traffic less often
– More people are killed legally in crosswalks than jaywalking.

– Half of all traffic fatalities happen at impact speeds of less than 35 mph.

– 350 people die every year entering the freeway the wrong way; at least 50 are killed by cars in driveways
– “Children at Play” signs do not reduce speed or accidents
– Car drivers drive closer to helmeted cyclists (and further from cyclists who appear to be
women).