Day Without Cars Research Paper

Limiting the usage of cars has personal and professional support all across the globe and yet it has yet to be embraced everywhere. Statistical proof show where it may help and real life examples of some of the effects of reducing, or getting rid of altogether, cars in one’s daily life. While “recent studies suggest that Americans are buying fewer cars, driving less and getting fewer licenses as each year goes by” (Source 4), is that really enough or for the right reason? There are plenty of reasons to stop, or limit, the amount of cars being driven on the roads for every kind of person, from the hippie to the businessman, from the mom to the college student. With so many things in this world that few people agree on, this is a nice change
It is no secret that morning traffic jams and 5’o’clock traffic is often enough to send any driver into a fit of unadulterated rage and what better way is there to prevent that than to simply not drive at all? Mother and media trainer, Heidrum Walter attested to this after moving into a mostly car-less community, claiming “when [she] had a car [she] was always tense. [She’s] much happier [that] way” (Source 1). If that were not enough, businessman Carlos Arturo Plaza who participated in the Day Without Cars in Bogota, Colombia, after just a day was able to say “it’s a good oppurtunity to take away stress” (Source 3). Just one day was enough to de-stress this man and if that does not speak wonders, one has to wonder what does. The event “[left] the streets of [Bogota] eerily devoid of traffic jams” (Source 3), which goes to show how stressful it was everyday, with traffic jams a common occurance. No one enjoys them, so why continue to suffer through
Both stress and high concentrations of smog can do a toll on one’s body and the reduction of cars, once again, helps to reduce this terrible down-sides to the easy transportation option. If it must be described as “emissions ... are choking cities” (Source 1), then why not be a bit more concerned. Air pollution can affect those with pre-existing respitory issues and stress can be a deciding factor in how effient and well a person can function. Stress on the road can lead to unsafe driving and a worse performance at work, school, or any other task-oriented location that many go to with the aid of a