Cities force developers through zoning laws to overbuild their parking lots, states raid general sales tax revenue to build freeways, and regions forgive motorists for their social debt of air pollution, up to $1,600 per person annually according to a 2008 study by researchers at California State University-Fullerton.
This manipulates people into driving, an expensive form of transportation that impoverishes people. (The AAA estimates it costs $8,946/year to own a car.) Driving encourages a sedentary lifestyle, which contributes to obesity. It makes land less productive, limiting the competitiveness of the nation. And the distorted market for transportation raises the cost of living.
Prohibit automobile favoritism and allow all forms of transportation to compete on a level playing field.