What is the Automobile Doing to America?

In the US I was addicted to driving but in Mexico I get along fine without a car. Why? Because, unlike the U.S., Mexico still has good, frequent public transportation.. .

The only walking I did during a recent trip to the US was to the park for exercise. In Mexico, I walk to do errands. It's exercise, but exercise with a destination.

How did driving become the American way of life? Mainly because of the growth of the suburbs after World War II when one family homes, each on a separate lot, with its own driveway, and yard were fostered by government policy. Maybe we pushed independence beyond what society could absorb when baby boomers would become old folks. At the time, single family housing geared to young families made sense but now we're seeing problems.

Trolleys and buses are out of style, although fortunately Metro service has benefited some cities. Still and all, who would want to live in the suburbs without a car?

Compare this with what I experience in my adopted Mexican city. The residents are not living in the past. Most people who can own a car do. But, a car is not necessary to get around because the city has good bus service. Not only that, the sidewalks are lively places, where you're likely to see friends and acquaintances along the way as you go to do errands.

When I travel to a neighboring city or even farther, I go by intercity bus. They go frequently, depending on the destination. Compare this with my choices for going from Topeka to Kansas City. I either had to leave at 8:55am or 4:55, that's all.

In case you think I'm old-fashioned, well, I am. I own up to going to kindergarten on a streetcar. But I'm not the only old-fashioned person around. The 'burbs are full of people in their sixties and up who either don't like driving any more or shouldn't be doing it. Unfortunately, the housing density isn't high enough to support good public transportation (although maybe vans would work), especially with the American wage structure. Often the grocery store is too far away to walk, so Americans drive to the gym, where they exercise! By Americans, incidentally, I don't mean New Yorkers, who are fitter than everyone else because they have to walk to public transportation or just prefer to go on their own two legs.

At the least, I think, Americans could change their habits so as to use intercity public transport or between cities or to vacation destinations. If you don't believe me, try starting a Mexican vacation by taking an air-conditioned bus with plenty of room to stretch your legs, or even a less pricey bus that gets you where you're going almost as fast.

I admit that as I write, many Mexicans use their cars almost as much as Americans, but except for Mexico City people, most have short commutes. Houses in Mexico are built closer together.

On my visit to the US, I had to think, sadly, that my native country has passed the point of no return. One example, there's hardly a mention of lowering the speed limit to 55 as happened some forty years ago to save gas and save lives.

To my mind, a chicken in every pot was an admirable goal, but two cars in every garage is unfortunate, to say the least.