Reply #24: Collapsing infrastructure is dangerous and causes further waste [View All]

[LeftyMom]

Crumbling roads wear out cars and tires faster, and drive more people to get enormous vehicles to ride above the potholes, which makes the problem worse. Crowded roads mean longer commute times and more smog. Unsafe bridges and highways are doubly dangerous here in CA because most of the bridges are in earthquake country. People were crushed to death by the collapse of a double decker freeway during the Loma Prieta earthquake. Homes and farmland are lost when levees break and flood waters rush in. Planes waiting for takeoff burn fuel to keep the lights and AC on.

No matter how fucked up the roads are, people will drive them unless there's a safe, pleasant and convenient alternative. People will fly because it's faster and often cheaper than driving or taking the train. Unless and until we offer people better alternatives, we need to have those systems operating as safely and efficiently as possible.