"taking the problem to the people": : Traffic safety from public relations to political theory, 1937-1954

• Autores: Stève Bernardin
• Localización: Technology and Culture, ISSN-e 1097-3729, Vol. 56, Nº. 2 (Supp. Special Issue: (Auto)Mobility, Accidents, and Danger), 2015, págs. 420-439
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The slogan "taking the problem to the people" nicely summarizes U.S. traffic safety campaigns of the 1950s. It refers to the goal of awareness and self-discipline for drivers through education and law enforcement. A detailed analysis of the campaigns, however, shows a subtler objective of the motor interests that promoted it. They wanted to overcome political indifference through a civic mobilization of drivers as citizens, persuading drivers to lobby for traffic control. The analysis of their efforts leads us to question the role-or lack of role-of politicians in scientific and technological controversies.