Traffic : Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us)
By Tom VanderbiltWould you be surprised that road rage can be good for society? Or that most crashes happen on sunny, dry days? That our minds can trick us into thinking the next lane is moving faster? Or that you can gauge a nation s driving behavior by its levels of corruption? These are only a few of the remarkable dynamics that Tom Vanderbilt explores in this fascinating tour through the mysteries of the road.
Based on exhaustive research and interviews with driving experts and traffic officials around the globe, "Traffic" gets under the hood of the everyday activity of driving to uncover the surprisingly complex web of physical, psychological, and technical factors that explain how traffic works, why we drive the way we do, and what our driving says about us. 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 shows how roundabouts, which can feel dangerous and chaotic, actually make roads safer and reduce traffic in the bargain. 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.
The car has long been a central part of American life; whether we see it as a symbol of freedom or a symptom of sprawl, we define ourselves by what and how we drive. As Vanderbilt shows, driving is a provocatively revealing prism for examining how our minds work and the ways in which we interact with one another. Ultimately, "Traffic" is about more than driving: it s about human nature. This book will change the way we see ourselves and the world around us. And who knows? It may even make us better drivers."
Buy Traffic : Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us) at Attic books in Nairobi Kenya.
Book details
- Hardcover
- 402 pages
- English
- 0307264785
- 9780307264787
About Tom Vanderbilt
tom vanderbilt was Read More about Tom Vanderbilt
More Books By Tom Vanderbilt
People who bought this also bought
Winning the Brain Race: A Bold Plan to Make Our Schools Competitive
Used Book
The Un-Discovered Islands : An Archipelago of Myths and Mysteries, Phantoms and Fakes
Used Book
The New York Agent Book : Get the Agent You Need for the Career You Want
Used Book
Theirs Is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America
Used Book
The Joy of Healthy Grilling: Keeping the Fat Low and the Flavor High
Used Book
HBR's 10 Must Reads on Change Management, Vol. 2 (with bonus article Accelerate! by John P. Kotter)
New Book
The Greatness Guide: 101 Lessons for Making What's Good at Work and in Life Even Better
New Book
Quiet Power : Growing Up as an Introvert in a World That Can't Stop Talking
New Book
Webster's Dictionary for Home, School and Office New, Revised and Expanded Edition
Used Book
Create an Intensive Biz Playbook and Planner : Scale Your Online Business, Create Explosive Growth and Build a Brand You Crave
Used Book
Reengineering the Corporation : A Manifesto for Business Revolution
Used Book
Skinny Bitchin': A ""Get Off Your Ass"" Journal to Help You Change Your Life, Achieve Your Goals, and Rock Your World!
Used Book
Protestant - Catholic - Jew: An Essay on American Religious Sociology
Used Book