Chicago declares open season on cagers

2009-08-07T13:12:00.000-05:00

...in latest policy
to discourage car use

Chicago keeps finding better and more innovative ways to discourage automobile use and promote kinder, gentler ways of getting around. Chicago ’s policy of deferred pot hole maintenance has made City streets much safer by slowing down cars. As car speeds increase, crashes become more likely and deadlier—putting pedestrians and neighborhood children at greater risk. A plethora of unfilled pot holes serve as nature’s speed bumps, slowing traffic and calming streets.

Likewise, the City’s quadrupling of parking meter rates has similarly had a positive effect on Chicago ’s streets. If you have to pay five bucks to park the Oldsmobile near the corner store, walking to get that quart milk becomes much more attractive. More walking trips means less cars on the road.

But the City’s latest proposal to discourage driving may be its most innovative—shoot first, ask questions later. In a move to encourage even criminals to choose appropriate transportation modes, Chicago Police officers will be allowed to shoot at criminal suspects fleeing in automobiles as of August 3rd.

Whether it’s criminals taking the El instead of a get-away car, shoppers walking to the store, or workers pedaling to their job, we all benefit when people drive less through a cleaner and safer city. Chicago should be commended for its wide range of policies to discourage car use.

Major Delay

Chicago declares open season on cagers