In 1964, the Surgeon General released a report on the dangers of smoking, which galvanized our nation's largest public health campaign. Half a century later, it is time for the government to speak out against another ubiquitous menace: the automobile.
Each year, motor vehicle–related deaths total 1.2 million worldwide, nearly as many as die from lung cancer. But victims of motor vehicle crashes are disproportionately young and healthy compared to other leading causes of death; indeed, motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among children in the United States. Beyond direct deaths, automobile dependence has caused Americans to lead more sedentary lives. Furthermore, the automobile is a burden not only to our health, but also to our finances and our environment.