Should Traffic Lights Be Abolished? (Ep. 454 Replay)

红绿灯应该废除吗?(Ep. 454重播)

Freakonomics Radio

社会与文化

2023-08-10

46 分钟
PDF

单集简介 ...

Americans are so accustomed to the standard intersection that we rarely consider how dangerous it can be — as well as costly, time-wasting, and polluting. Is it time to embrace the lowly, lovely roundabout?

单集文稿 ...

  • Hey there, it's Stephen Dubner.

  • We recently published an episode called why is the US so good at killing pedestrians?

  • That episode got a lot of listens, but I don't see that as necessarily a good thing.

  • I think a lot of people listen because they are starting to realize how dangerous our roads and streets have become.

  • But it isn't all our roads and streets.

  • Many crashes and many traffic injuries and deaths happen at intersections.

  • And many of the most dangerous intersections are controlled by traffic lights.

  • So maybe the traffic lights aren't doing a good job of preventing crashes.

  • Is there a better way to control an intersection?

  • That's what the following episode is about.

  • We first published it in 2021.

  • We have now updated facts and figures as necessary.

  • Let us know what you think.

  • Our email is radioactive.

  • As always, thanks for listening.

  • Yes, I'm a member of the dull men's club.

  • Let me make sure I'm understanding you correctly.

  • It's called the dull Men's Club.

  • Yes, dull as in boring.

  • Yeah.