http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/comment-page-1/#comment-20859 brent Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:17:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/#comment-20859 Exceptional analysis Steve. It is outrageous, to me, how many "accidents" are explained as seizures, mechanical failures, or drunkenness. The media doesn't find it necessary to further question the reasons for these tragedies. Exceptional analysis Steve. It is outrageous, to me, how many “accidents” are explained as seizures, mechanical failures, or drunkenness. The media doesn’t find it necessary to further question the reasons for these tragedies.

]]> http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/comment-page-1/#comment-20823 Steve Fri, 22 Dec 2006 20:01:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/#comment-20823 Dialing 311 doesn't usually get direct results, but the operators are good at giving the phone number of the right person at the agency that can do something. I would try 311. Dialing 311 doesn’t usually get direct results, but the operators are good at giving the phone number of the right person at the agency that can do something. I would try 311.

]]> http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/comment-page-1/#comment-20818 Ian D Fri, 22 Dec 2006 19:16:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/#comment-20818 With respect to the last story in "Following Up" - does anyone have an idea of how I could confirm with the city that this driver will never be allowed to drive a cab (or drive at all!) in the city? I imagine a blind call to T&LC will get nowhere. With respect to the last story in “Following Up” – does anyone have an idea of how I could confirm with the city that this driver will never be allowed to drive a cab (or drive at all!) in the city? I imagine a blind call to T&LC will get nowhere.

]]> http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/comment-page-1/#comment-20738 Glenn Fri, 22 Dec 2006 16:37:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/#comment-20738 Safe driving to everyone who has to hit the roads this weekend. I have no choice but to drive to Bethlehem PA to be with my girlfriend's family. Back 50 years ago there was a wonderful oassenger rail connection from Penn Station, but alas only the highways are in place now. Safe driving to everyone who has to hit the roads this weekend. I have no choice but to drive to Bethlehem PA to be with my girlfriend’s family. Back 50 years ago there was a wonderful oassenger rail connection from Penn Station, but alas only the highways are in place now.

]]> http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/comment-page-1/#comment-20708 Steve Fri, 22 Dec 2006 14:46:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/22/the-weekly-carnage-20/#comment-20708 These stories include some good examples of how the "myth of the accident" is constructed and perpetuated. The survivors of the responsible motorists feel an intense stake in disavowing any culpability on the party of the responsible driver, even when the driver has killed only him- or her self. So, you end up with the survivors of the Yonkers woman denying that she was applying make-up when she drove off the road, when the open cosmetics were found in the front seat and smeared all over the airbag, and the survivors of the Crowley aide are certain that the "DWI Granny" would have caused the same "accident" whether she legally drunk (which she was) or not. Few feel it appropriate to question this highly emotional spin by the survivors, and so we are left with an "accident," and no basis for assessing personal responsibility or questioning car culture. These stories include some good examples of how the “myth of the accident” is constructed and perpetuated. The survivors of the responsible motorists feel an intense stake in disavowing any culpability on the party of the responsible driver, even when the driver has killed only him- or her self. So, you end up with the survivors of the Yonkers woman denying that she was applying make-up when she drove off the road, when the open cosmetics were found in the front seat and smeared all over the airbag, and the survivors of the Crowley aide are certain that the “DWI Granny” would have caused the same “accident” whether she legally drunk (which she was) or not. Few feel it appropriate to question this highly emotional spin by the survivors, and so we are left with an “accident,” and no basis for assessing personal responsibility or questioning car culture.

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