The Effect Of Banning The Automobile In

The Effect of banning the automobile in the United States
Shemisha Riggins
12 October 2013
Sociology (SOCI 1301)

In today's modern society, we are very dependent of the automobile. It is a means of life and it is how we get from one place to another. A lot of U.S. Citizens depend on their cars as way to provide for their families. If there were no cars what would this do to our society? Would it make it better or worse for an individual? In this paper, I will view the aspects on how the banning of automobiles could either have an effect on or lives or not have an effect at all. The origin of the automobile began as early as 1769. The creation of the steam engine automobile made it easy for human transport. In 1806, the first cars powered by internal combustible engine running on fueled gas appeared. By 1885, the introduction of gas or petrol-fueled cars was introduced. Later, in the twentieth century the electric powered cars appeared and then disappeared until the twenty- first century. The automobile industry has had a huge impact on the American society. If cars were banned it could affect the American economy and lead to an economic collapse. American has been until recently leading in the automobile industry. Due to the bankruptcy of Detroit we have taken quite a fall. If cars were banned we would not be able to transport goods to and from one place to another. The American people solely depend on those goods to live. That is also how money is made and how our economy profits. The banning of cars could affect one's social life. Many people base their lives off of social gatherings. If we did not have cars our social lives would be drastically different. There would be more usage of phones and landlines and/or computers. In American, we own more cars than others nations throughout the world. Our lives and social statuses make us who we are. Our cars even depict our social class. If one has a very expensive car, others will think that he or she is high on the social class ladder. American culture is based on the popularity of cars, what is new and what is in at the time. To ban the automobile it would be a clutch to our society. We are accustomed to auto-mobility in the United States. That is why it would be difficult to eliminate the use of cars in our society. American people depend on their vehicles to go to work. If they were taken away, no one would be able to work or provide for themselves or families. We would have a means to work from home with the use of internet access, but I do not think a lot of people would like taking that route. A lot of people like to be out and around others. I think that would put a damper on society and people would become more isolated. If Americans were not able to come and go as they pleased, I believe we would have more issues. People would rebel and we would end up with a lot of riots and protests. Some Americans do not like change and are not willing to accept it. That is just the way of our world. The elimination of cars would hurt our American society. Adjustments that Americans would have to make in an “automobile-free” society would include: riding a bicycle, functioning on foot, or either flying by plane. In the high pace world that we live in walking would be the last resort for Americans. Weather can play apart in that reason and that some of us are just lazy. Some people do commute to work by bicycle but that is just a few of Americans. A lot of people try to avoid flying by planes because of fear or because of the expense of it. I think if we were forced to do without automobiles, I believe we would be able to do so. The United States has always been able to adapt to any circumstance. It would take a little time to adjust to but it is possible. The elimination of cars would probably make life simpler for some. Eliminating the burden of car insurance, gas, and maintenance could save people a ton of money. If I had to be without a car, I think I could do it. I would have to give up all of my leisure activities that I enjoy. Those activities would mainly include going to the mall, going to doctor visits, and all the necessary errands that I need to run to maintain a functioning household. I kind of live in a country setting, so I depend on my car for everything. I would really be a home body but in turn I will be helping out the environment. If the government had to implement an “automobile-free” society they would. Any change that our government makes shapes our society. It would probably benefit our fiscal policy if we were to go “automobile-free”. The government would have to come up with a plan on how their citizens would benefit from this. Financial planning would be a major decision on whether to go ahead with the plan or do away with it. If our government was to put this action into play, I believe I could adjust. In the United States, we still have the means of getting around with public transportation. People around the world still use the bus and trains to commute every day. Not having a vehicle does not hinder a person from their daily life routines. Our society is becoming more technologically advanced. In today's modern world, people can buy groceries, shop, and bank online. The advancement of technology has positive impacts on the way we travel. The use of GPS systems helps us when traveling short or long distances. People today, rarely use maps or stop to ask for directions like they did a few generations back. Technology influences our society, and what influences our society depicts where we are going in our future. If cars were banned we still have technology that will continue to evolve. If the ban of vehicles really came into fruition, I believe we all could adjustment. A car is a form of material possession. It does not make an individual, it just adds to a person. Like I stated earlier, I believe I can survive if this came into play. Being a veteran, I have learned to adjust to different standards and situations. I have been in countries where we were advised not to drive or obtain a car. The American society could benefit from the banning of automobiles. Twenty-two percent of an American family's income goes to gas, maintenance, and other car related issues. Americans could save this money if they did not have a car. Air pollution which is caused by exhaust fumes would no longer be an issue in harming our environment. Exhaust fumes also contain carbon dioxide which leads to global warming. Litter and pollution are also negative impacts that our environment endures due to the use of automobiles. Cars have oils and other fluids that can leak into the roadways. These pollutants from the roadways could seep into our water supply and harm not only the animals but us humans. The negative impacts of litter and pollutants can also damage organisms and natural habitats that they live in. If pieces of a car fly off or on the roadway, it is not only putting someone else in danger but also the wildlife. The production of more roads and parking structures has also hurt our environment. It has made it hard for organisms to enjoy their natural habitat. Some organisms either relocate or die. Aside from pollution and production of roads and parking structures, one affect that is often overlooked is noise pollution. The noise of engines and horns can overwhelm an individual. I think our society would be worse without cars because that is how we function and get around. If we did not have cars there would be fewer family gatherings. People would not be able to socialize and be free. There would be a disconnection from society. I think everything would start being boring and routine. Some people love a routine life while others just go with the flow of things. Americans love the luxury of coming and going as they please. To ban cars, I think it would hurt our economy. If we are not producing any type of revenue or profits how can we function and survive in the world we live in? As for farmers in America, there transportation is how they make a living. It is how they transport produce to and from different locations. A lot of Americans now are practicing and participating in an “automobile free” society. Some state that they do it to save the environment, while others say they do it for the convenience. Americans like their space and the thought of doing things without any hassles, this is way a lot of people avoid riding the trains or buses. Cars make it convenient to do what you want. Americans depends solely on their cars and I feel the same way. There are many pros and cons in having a car and not having a car but as for me I will stick to having a vehicle. It is just much more convenient and it is a piece of who you are.