For tourists, the United States is known for guns and opioids. However, in 2021, traffic accidents became the second leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 45, ahead of COVID-19, suicide, and gun violence. During visits to the United States, some tourists are shocked by the automobile culture. The huge size of cars, the relatively small number of electric vehicles, and people’s disregard for speed limits on highways all stem from regarding driving as an expression of personal freedom. Similar trends exist around the world, but in terms of automobiles, the United States is unique. In 2021, the average new car purchased by Americans weighed 1.94 tons, half a ton heavier than the European average. Nowadays, SUVs and "light" trucks account for four-fifths of all new car purchases in the United States, much higher than one-fifth 50 years ago. This car-buying habit reflects the political divisions within the United States. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to purchase any type of new car and are more likely to purchase large vehicles. Unlike other parts of the world, whether in densely populated urban centers or remote rural areas, trucks and SUVs are "red," while small hybrid vehicles are "blue." The qualities that Americans value most when choosing a new car are "aggressive," "powerful," and "robust," which align with the top five choices of Purchasers倾向 Republican. This car-buying habit is based on identity rather than necessity: This is individualism on wheels.
This cultural characteristic of individualism has brought many fatal problems to the United States. With the increase in the number of cars in the United States, the number of pedestrian deaths has increased by 57%. If Americans had always used smaller vehicles, 8,000 fewer pedestrians might have died in traffic accidents between 2000 and 2018. For many people in cars, regarding driving as an expression of personal freedom has also created many fatal problems. In the front seats of American cars, nearly one-tenth of drivers and passengers do not wear seat belts; 45% of people said that they often exceeded the speed limit by at least 15 miles when driving on highways. In the United Kingdom, both of these indicators are much lower, at 3%. The terrifying result of this phenomenon is that thousands of people lose their lives on American roads every year. And these accidents are often not just personal tragedies but also have an impact on families, communities, and society as a whole. Traffic accidents not only cause casualties and economic losses but also have a negative impact on the environment. Automobile emissions are an important factor in climate change, and the United States is one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases.
In addition to environmental and safety issues, American automobile culture also brings challenges in urban planning. Urban planning often centers around automobiles, resulting in insufficient diversity in urban development, a lack of pedestrian and bicycle paths, and a lack of public transportation facilities. This poses challenges to the sustainability and accessibility of American cities. Moreover, due to the driving culture of Americans, they spend a lot of time and money on cars, limiting their time and opportunities to participate in other social and cultural activities.
Nevertheless, automobile culture is still deeply rooted in American society. Many people regard driving as a way to enjoy life and an expression of their freedom. To solve these problems, comprehensive policies and cultural changes are needed. The government can strengthen regulation of the automobile industry, promote sustainable transportation methods, encourage the development of public transportation and walking culture, and provide more bicycle paths and green spaces. In addition, society also needs to strengthen education and guidance on driving behavior, make people aware of the responsibility and safety of driving, and regard driving as a social responsibility rather than an individual right.
In conclusion, American automobile culture is an embodiment of individualism but also brings many problems, including aspects such as safety, the environment, urban planning, and social activities. To solve these problems, changes in policies and culture are needed, regarding driving as a social responsibility while encouraging and supporting sustainable transportation methods and urban planning.