Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt

Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt is a book that explores the chaos and order of our driving experiences. The author delves into the psychology of traffic jams, the paradoxes of driving safety, and the eternal battle between the limits of human nature and the technology that sets us free.

Vanderbilt interviews a variety of experts employed to manage traffic, from traffic “vision specialists” to “one of the world’s leading authorities on queues.”

The book reveals that traffic jams are not caused by flaws in road design but by flaws in human nature. Vanderbilt cites a finding that 12.7 percent of the traffic slowdown after a crash has nothing to do with wreckage blocking lanes; it’s caused by gawkers. Rubberneckers attend to the spectacle so avidly that they themselves then get into accidents, slamming into the car in front of them when it brakes to get a better look or dig out a cellphone.

The main themes of the book are the psychology of traffic, the paradoxes of driving safety, and the impact of technology on driving. Vanderbilt argues that traffic brings out the irrational side of humans, and our inability to understand how traffic works makes us vulnerable to accidents. He also explores the impact of technology on driving, including the use of GPS and other navigation systems.

What I Liked

There are few nonfiction books that are about something that everyone has to deal with every single day. Getting around – no matter your mode of transport – means dealing with traffic. I love how this book explains exactly what is going on with traffic. The book improved by driving, biking, walking, and my attitude while moving about.

What I Did Not Like

Nothing – this should be a must read for anyone getting a Driver’s License.