Cars took over because the legal system helped squeezed out alternatives
“Given New York’s lax enforcement record, the Freakonomics podcast described running over pedestrians there as “the perfect crime.””<p>I was driving in Oakland when the car in front of me didn’t slow down for a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The pedestrian disappeared in front of the car. I stopped my car, got out, found the struck young woman trembling and bleeding in the street.<p>The speed limit was 30 miles per hour. I don’t think the driver was going quite that fast — maybe 20, 25 at most.<p>The woman driving the car was elderly. It’s tough to gauge her age — pushing late 70s, maybe 80? She said she didn’t notice the girl in the crosswalk.<p>I was upset. I stayed the entire time, talked with the cops at length, gave a statement. I wanted to see the lady’s license taken away. Or a ticket at least. Or heck, even a talking to about if maybe she’s no longer fit to drive.<p>The cops let the old lady drive away. No ticket. No talk. I was stunned. Surely if you hit someone with your car at that speed, in fucking crosswalk, you at the very least need to prove to the DMV that you’re safe to drive. Especially if you’re an elderly person. But nope. They said they had no grounds with which to take any action at all.<p>Still bothers me. I hope that lady hasn’t killed anyone.