US Car Dependence Leads to Unhappiness, According to New Study
TL/DR –
The US, one of the world’s most car-dependent countries, is finding that obligatory driving is making many Americans unhappy, according to recent research. The study found that while having a car is beneficial for overall life satisfaction, driving for more than 50% of the time for out-of-home activities leads to a decrease in life satisfaction. The research points out negative impacts of driving, including the stress of navigating roads and traffic, less physical activity due to lack of walking, reduced social interaction, and the growing financial burden of owning and maintaining a vehicle.
Car Dependence and Life Satisfaction in the US
The vast car-dependent infrastructure in the United States, defined by expansive highways and underserved public transport systems, has been identified as a source of unhappiness for many Americans, according to recent studies. Over 90% of American households possess at least one vehicle, and a staggering 87% of Americans use cars daily. In 2020, a record 290 million vehicles were operated on US roads.
However, new research has revealed that over-reliance on cars is negatively impacting Americans’ quality of life. The study found that while owning a car contributes to overall life satisfaction, having to drive for more than half the time for outdoor activities results in a decrease in life satisfaction. Prolonged car dependency comes with burdensome costs, leading to reduced happiness levels, according to Rababe Saadaoui, a lead author of the study.
The Cost of Car-Dependent Lifestyles
The research, based on responses from a representative US group, identified a potential correlation between driving habits and life satisfaction. Factors such as the stress of constant navigation through traffic, loss of physical activity, minimized social engagement, and the financial strain of maintaining a vehicle were identified as significant contributors to this dissatisfaction.
America’s car-centered planning policy has resulted in sprawling suburbs and mandatory car parking constructions, effectively eroding communal spaces and causing more trips to be car-dependent. Half of all car trips are under three miles, further highlighting the extent of this dependency.
The Need for Driving Alternatives
Despite commitments from Joe Biden’s administration to improve public transit and remove certain divisive highways, federal funding for road construction continues to outweigh investments in driving alternatives. In the upcoming year, over $60 billion in federal funds is earmarked for roads and bridges.
Many Americans are compelled to live without cars due to poverty or disability, often resulting in them being isolated and incurring additional costs. Advocates such as Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not an Option, call for increased consideration of non-drivers in policy-making decisions, emphasizing the necessity for more walkable communities and augmented public transport and biking options.
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