Comments on: Dangerous ‘Burbs?

By: M. Murcek

M. Murcek — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Boosters of urbanism will twist any statistic to try and bolster their arguments.

Kids die in car wrecks most often because of inexperience. They don't know you can't go from 70mph to 0mph in 2 seconds. They don't know you cannot negotiate that 90 degree curve at 90mph.

Intoxicants and distractions in the car only make that bad situation worse.

Many of the scenarios that result in the deaths of young drivers (speeding, racing one another, losing control on curves) are inherently impossible in urban settings.

The argument comes down to "You can't drown in a sandbox..." Sheesh.

By: craig henry

craig henry — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Agreed. Speed kills and it is easier to go fast in the suburbs or country than on big city streets or interstates.

Also, the limited access highways around cities are built safer-- fewer trees, fewer embankments, better guard rails. Roads in Red America are less dangerous. (No conspiracy, just economics and topography.

A note about the stats-- they don't look at where you live but where you die. So, if you really want to be safe, you have to stay in NYC and travel by plane/train to other urban areas.

By: DBL

DBL — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

I used to live in NYC, and now live in a remote suburb. It seems pretty obvious to me, as the father of two teenagers, that suburban kids face risks that NYC kids do not, in particular, cars and drinking. Even without the drinking, put several kids in a car and you have a risky situation. Kids in NYC - at least those in Manhattan - do not drive, not at all, except in taxis, and so do not run those risks. I also think that drug abuse is just as prevalent in the burbs as in the city, although it may start a year or two later. The one risk that city kids face, that my kids do not, is that some gang or mugger will set upon them as they are walking home.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

26 miles in 14 minutes, from a standing start to full stop.

That was my record. In a '73 Ford Maverick.

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