Traffic: Summary Review

This is a summary review of Traffic containing key details about Traffic.

What is Traffic About?

"Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us)" is a book by Tom Vanderbilt that explores the social, psychological, and cultural factors that shape our behavior on the road.

ELEVATE
Free Resource: A step-by-step blueprint to realize your dreams

Traffic shows that driving is about far more than getting from A to B, it's actually the key to deciphering human nature and well, pretty much everything. From the etiquette of horn-honking to bumper stickers you should avoid, from gridlock in ancient Rome to why getting rid of road signs actually reduces accidents, Traffic will change the way you see yourself, and other people (and not just through your windscreen).

Summary Points & Takeaways from Traffic

Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:

* Understanding traffic psychology: Vanderbilt delves into the various psychological factors that influence our driving behavior, including perception, attention, emotions, and motivation.

* The impact of design: The author discusses how the design of roads, intersections, and other elements of the built environment can impact traffic flow and safety.

* The role of culture: Vanderbilt explores the cultural differences in driving behavior around the world, and how these differences can be explained by cultural values, norms, and beliefs.

* The influence of technology: The author examines the ways in which technology, such as navigation systems and traffic information services, can both help and hinder our driving experience.

* The future of transportation: Vanderbilt concludes by discussing the potential impact of new technologies, such as self-driving cars, on the future of transportation and how we might adapt to these changes.

* The book provides a comprehensive look at the complex and multifaceted factors that influence our behavior on the road and offers valuable insights into the ways in which we can improve the safety and efficiency of our transportation systems.

Who is the author of Traffic?

Tom Vanderbilt is an American journalist, blogger, and author of the best-selling book, Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do. His traffic book was published on November 13 2009, made in various parts of the world: some like Barcelona Spain, Mexico City, New York United States, Tokyo Japan, etc.

ELEVATE
Free Resource: Over 1000 smart goal ideas to inspire your life

Book details

  • Print length: 402 pages
  • Genre: Nonfiction, Psychology, Science

What are the chapters in Traffic?

Chapter 1 Why Does the Other Lane Always Seem Faster?
Chapter 2 Why You’re Not as Good a Driver as You Think You Are
Chapter 3 How Our Eyes and Minds Betray Us on the Road
Chapter 4 Why Ants Don’t Get into Traffic Jams (and Humans Do): On Cooperation as a Cure for Congestion
Chapter 5 Why Women Cause More Congestion Than Men (and Other Secrets of Traffic)
Chapter 6 Why More Roads Lead to More Traffic (and What to Do About It)
Chapter 7 When Dangerous Roads Are Safer
Chapter 8 How Traffic Explains the World: On Driving with a Local Accent
Chapter 9 What’s Risky on the Road and Why

What is a good quote from Traffic?

Top Quote: “The way humans hunt for parking and the way animals hunt for food are not as different as you might think.” (Meaning) - Traffic Quotes, Tom Vanderbilt

What do critics say?

Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: "A surprising, enlightening look at the psychology of human beings behind the steering wheels . . . Required reading for anyone applying for a driver's license.” — The New York Times Book Review

* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal growth, you may want to explore my list of favorite self-improvement books. These books, which have had a significant impact on my life, are carefully curated and come with summaries and key lessons.

Reading is Smart. Applying is Smarter:  Apply
Subscribe on YouTube to get more wisdom:  

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.

 
Actualize Your Potential
Get my simplified process for realizing dreams (The exact process that enabled me to achieve 100 life goals in 10 years)
GET IT FREE:
Access my Start With WHY workbook for free, designed to guide you toward your purpose and the person you are meant to become
expert_advice
Align With Your Why
Elevate In Your Inbox
Get actionable insights, best practices, and wisdom you can apply — No hype, No fluff. Just practical ideas that might change your life.

Read The Art of Fully Living

There's no going back-once you embark on the journey you're meant to live, it's impossible to settle for anything less than your dreams.

Click here to learn more

Set Better Goals

Learn a better and smarter approach to setting and achieving goals. It's not just about what you want to achieve, but who you must become in the process.

Click here to learn more
Take The Free Test
Discover your areas for growth in just 5 minutes. Take the FREE self-evaluation test and pinpoint where to focus your efforts

Uplevel Your Game

Explore The Roadmaps

Access a self-paced online roadmap that turns big goals into realities, complete with daily study guides, actionable steps, and proven practices from the world's best minds
Reclaim your freedom, escape 9-5, and live the life you were meant to live — A self-paced roadmap with daily study guides, actionable steps, and proven practices

Explore The All-Access

Unlock unlimited, lifetime access to a growing library of actionable knowledge and study guides from the world's top minds.
Join The Accelerator
Join a 10-week, personalized immersion that will accelerate your goal-attainment, elevate you to your next level, and turn your big dreams into reality.
Learn More
Contact
Thanks for reading. It makes a difference. A portion of all proceeds from our endeavors supports entrepreneurs in the developing world. View Impact...