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  • TWOC-2022-02-15-E080_No_Accidents_Jessie_Singer.mp3

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What do we mean when we say something is an “accident”? When a motorist kills a pedestrian or cyclist it is often described in the press and the criminal justice system as a “car accident” — even when there is a clear cause such as a driver who was drunk, distracted or speeding. According to a new book by journalist Jessie Singer, events that most people describe as accidents are anything but. Singer argues that who lives and dies by accident in America is not random but utterly predictable. Using the word, she says, protects the powerful and leads to “the prevention of prevention.”

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James LaVela

Ralph Nader’s influential book, “Unsafe at any Speed” was mentioned in the episode (and at other times on the pod). Any idea why this book is so difficult to find? When it is available it’s pricey. I found a used paperback copy available on Amazon for $79.99 and a hardcover for $150. Local libraries don’t have a copy. Is there another way to read this book?

The War on Cars

We've noticed the same thing. It's strange that no one has reissued it. It's possible there's a PDF of the entire thing online somewhere, but we have no idea why this book is so hard to find!