First published 2008
Tom Vanderbilt takes readers on a journey through the complex world of traffic and driving behavior. Drawing from extensive research and conversations with traffic experts worldwide, he examines the psychological and physical forces that shape how we navigate roads. Vanderbilt reveals counterintuitive truths about driving: aggressive behavior can benefit society, most accidents occur in perfect weather, and our brains deceive us about lane speeds. He connects national corruption levels to driving habits and explains why pedestrian safety measures sometimes increase accidents. The book explores how roundabouts reduce both crashes and congestion despite feeling chaotic. Vanderbilt analyzes who honks at whom and why traffic jams form. He investigates the cognitive biases that make drivers overconfident and identifies common parking lot errors. The author demonstrates how driving serves as a window into human psychology and social interaction. Traffic transforms an ordinary activity into a lens for understanding ourselves and our relationships with others.
Genres: psychology, social-science, non-fiction
Vibes: analytical, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: expert-analysis, investigative-journalism
402 pages · Hardcover · Knopf