Grist: Driving a car doesn’t mean being in control

[marmar]

Driving a car doesn’t mean being in control
by Carla Saulter

29 Nov 2010 8:00 AM




Many people have asked me how I manage with a family and no car. Riding the bus with kids for day-to-day travel is one thing, but what do I do when there's an emergency or opportunity and I need to get somewhere right away? When I mention the plethora of options I have available to me -- cabbing, car sharing, walking, cycling (well, theoretically, anyway), ambulance -- in the event I have an immediate need and the bus is not available or practical, people tend to look skeptical. Worried, even. That's because what they're really asking is, how do I deal with the lack of control associated with not having a car?

It's a fair question. Unfortunately, in order to answer it, I am forced to bring up a topic that has received a bit too much attention in my hometown this week. I apologize in advance to all you Seattle types who are sick to death of all the talk of cold weather -- and to all you East Coast and Midwest people who can't understand why we get so worked up about it.

Last week, it snowed in Seattle. As you may or may not know, snow in Seattle is a big deal. (Watch it in the comments, folks; I'm third generation and proud.) There are many reasons for this. In the first place, it doesn't happen very often, so the city hasn't invested much in plows, salting trucks, and whatever the heck else you need to clear the streets of the pesky stuff. (We have the equipment, just not much of it.) In the second place, we have hills. The hills are not small. Big hills + partially plowed streets + folks who don't see snow very often = well, snOMG.

During a Seattle snowstorm, it's darn near impossible to get around town in a car. This doesn't stop people from trying. Some people make it there and back without much trouble. Some end up stranded in snowdrifts miles from their homes. Many never make it out of their driveways. For as long as there is snow on the streets, the news is dominated by coverage of snarled traffic, canceled events, and crazy 10-car pileups. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.grist.org/article/2010-11-28-driving-a-car-doesnt-mean-being-in-control

[Dappleganger]

1. snOMG!

Gonna have to use that one, LOL!

Good article...although we haven't been car-less for awhile, the grocery store, pharmacy and other small stores are 3 miles away in our well-planned suburban area. It would definitely be easier on a bike.

I'll never forget when we first moved to the Blue Ridge of VA and there was a record-breaking 4'+ of snow that first winter, with drifts over 10'. The city folks would get stuck all over the roads in their big SUV's while the rural folks would laugh and stay home--no reason to go out if you're well-prepared with nothing to prove on dangerous roads.

[midnight]

2. I learned to drive in Wisconsin, and snow is around several

months of the year. I'm just grateful for yearround tires, and an end to the chains and all that stuff. If it is any concelation... When a blizzard comes in that is all we talk about....

How smart not to have to deal with the maintainance of a car..... Parking is such a hassel, so that once you reach your destination, where do you put your car... Some cities do better than others....

[Edweird]

3. He is presenting a false dilemma.

One is able to own a car AND use all the options presented in his article. They are not mutually exclusive. A cab driver will not refuse your fare if there is a car out front. Your bicycle does not cease to work. The sidewalks are available to everyone. I own a 4X4 Suburban, a motorcycle and 3 bicycles (each with a different purpose). I am not afraid to 'hoof it' either. In fact, I enjoy walking - I usually buy my groceries on foot. I enjoy cycling to work when my circumstances permit it - which is not the case at the moment. Some cities are better suited for non-ownership. I do not live in or near one of them.

[jwirr]

4. For years my car sat in the garage while I used the bus because it

was easier in the winter and I just got used to it. I did use my car to go see my children 50 miles away once a month. I like riding the bus in our small community because you actually get to know the other riders and drivers.

[MadHound]

5. And this assumes that everybody has all those wonderful transit options available to them

A lot of people simply don't live in areas with those kind of options. I live in the country, no bus, no cabs, and it is quicker in an emergency to take somebody to the hospital rather than wait for the ambulance.

As far as the Seattle snow storm, sorry, but the uproar over a couple of inches of snow is laughable. It simply amazes me how a couple of inches of snow is some sort of apocalypse in places that don't normally get snow. Really now, is it that hard to go slower and leave more room between you and the person in front of you? Never get stuck out here in the Midwest when we get a couple of feet, you would never make it.