Topic: Pedestrian Safety

The Guardian reported a 41% increase in pedestrian deaths since 2008, attributing the rise to driver and pedestrian distraction. The article suggests that 5G technology and smart cars will eventually solve the problem by allowing vehicles to "see" pedestrians. The hosts mock the idea that 5G is a panacea for people walking into traffic while looking at their smartphones.

A new European Union directive requires all electric vehicles to emit artificial noise by 2022 to protect blind pedestrians. The hosts play various proposed sounds for these vehicles, mocking the aesthetic choices of the regulation.

In a final "life-saving tip," the hosts discuss the high rate of pedestrian accidents occurring at night. They argue that many of these incidents are caused by pedestrians wearing all-black clothing on dimly lit streets and urge listeners to "wear white at night" to ensure visibility to drivers.

Pedestrian deaths have jumped 46% since 2009, with 75% of fatalities occurring at night. The hosts argue that the trend is exacerbated by pedestrians wearing all-black clothing and a dangerous reliance on automotive safety technology that makes both drivers and walkers complacent.

A report on a fatal accident in Arizona involving an autonomous Uber vehicle highlights the technical challenges of self-driving cars. The discussion covers the "95-5 rule," suggesting that while the first 95% of autonomous technology is easy to achieve, the final 5% involving complex human variables remains elusive. Concerns are raised about the jerky nature of the braking systems and the failure of sensors to detect pedestrians in dark or cluttered environments.

A study highlights a rise in injuries and deaths among pedestrians wearing headphones, with many victims being hit by trains. The hosts mock the "sensory deprivation" framing of the report and lament the poor quality of local news broadcasts, which they find less informative than C-SPAN.