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America has a driving problem. 

Before COVID-19, the prevalence of crashes was decreasing as more Americans became more comfortable with driving behind the wheel. However, since 2020, driving has only increased as more than 30,000 Americans have died in car crashes; more specifically, more than 40,000 Americans died from car crashes in 2021. And the numbers seem to only be increasing even after the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to die down. So, despite drivers’ education, the many ads that tried to curb distractions during driving, and the policies put in place, do car crashes still happen? And what can the individual, organization, and government do to begin to effectively address this issue?

To help answer these questions, we talk with Dr. Kirsten Bechtel, professor of emergency medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, and the Yale Traffic Safety Subcommittee chair. 

[00:00-07:52] Introduction and the Role of the Yale Traffic Safety Subcommittee

[08:00-14:08]: Traffic Safety in Public Health

[14:09-18:40]: Distractions in Driving (Alcohol and Smoking)

(Look around 21st minute)

[18:41-26:13]: Road Infrastructure

[26:14-28:30]: Disparities in Traffic Safety

[28:31-33:20]: Traffic Safety and COVID-19

[33:21-35:00]: Automobile Industry

[35:00-37:23]: Conclusion