Americans are in love with their automobiles. In a country where every household averages two cars, the availability of personal, motorized vehicle is not a luxury, but rather a necessity. We often take for granted the opportunities afforded by our motorized society. Instead of relying on mass transit, those with automobiles have the luxury and convenience of traveling on their own time, and of their own means (not to mention the certain aspect of privacy also associated with cars).

The automobile, however, has a dark side. Pollution and traffic congestion are concerns, but the greatest problems associated with automobiles are their safety, or lack thereof. Car accidents are one of the leading killers in the country each year, accounting for about 40,000 deaths in the year 2001 alone (DriveHomeSafe website). In fact, it has been estimated by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) that 1 out of every 5...
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