cars

Car dependency is a big reason why the number of Americans that die in car crashes is much higher (WBM link) than anywhere else in the developed world. For example, in the United States, 38,824 people died (WBM link) in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2020, while only 1,745 fatalities (WBM link)occurred in Canada. A big reason for this is that Americans have to drive a lot more than citizens in these other countries. Obviously, the more people on the road and the longer they're on the road, the more risk of accidents there are. And due to the car-centric infrastructure and limited public transportation options, Americans have to drive more. Of course, there are other factors (WBM link) and other solutions to this problem, but it is primarily the fact that US citizens have to spend more time driving on the road that leads to these higher death totals. Reducing the need for driving so often and for so long will bring this total down.

In addition to safety concerns, automobile dependence is also a big factor in the obesity problem in America. Because people usually aren't able to walk or bike to the grocery store, shops, restaurants, or whatever else "point B" might be, they're having to drive, which adds to an inactive and sedentary lifestyle.

The obvious solution is to invest more in public transportation and design cities to be walkable, but that's not profitable for car companies. So, their lobbyists push for more driver-friendly legislation and less money to be spent on public transportation. Car-free and car-light neighborhoods with robust public transportation options are safer and healthier but mean fewer profits for the car industry. And to no one's surprise, the United States values profits over people.