Investigative journalist and keynote speaker Jessie Singer, author of “There Are No Accidents,” addressed the alarming increase in traffic fatalities and highlighted society’s tendency to focus on individual mistakes rather than the underlying road conditions that contribute to these incidents. Singer aims to challenge the prevailing notion that traffic accidents stem mainly from human error, arguing instead that inadequate road design encourages speeding and unsafe driving. She pointed out that the automotive industry has largely avoided responsibility while society often blames victims instead of acknowledging the role of poorly designed roads, unsafe streets, and oversized vehicles in causing accidents.
Singer emphasized the importance of designing streets that can mitigate harm from inevitable mistakes made by drivers. She quoted Dr. Susan Baker, stating, “If you make this world safe for drunks, you make it safe for everybody,” to underline her point about safety for all road users. Additionally, she criticized the automobile industry for coining terms like “jaywalker” and “the nut behind the wheel” to shift the blame onto pedestrians and drivers, rather than addressing flaws in vehicle design and roadway safety. Her remarks received a warm reception, especially when she noted that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced plans to regulate vehicles for their safety risks to pedestrians for the first time.