The Cost of Crashing Out
The economic, health, and social costs of car dependency are immense and growing, with direct impacts on household budgets, public health, and overall community well-being. Prioritizing people over cars is a proven pathway to healthier, wealthier, and more resilient communities that don’t just save lives but give us a PATH to thrive.
The report below utilizes data from TxDOT and was compiled by Chris Pittman.
Financial Burden of Car Ownership
The average annual cost to own and operate a new vehicle in Texas is now over $1,000 per month! This factors in not just the purchase price but also ongoing expenses like depreciation, finance charges, insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
For households transportation can consume a significant portion of income. Among the lowest-income U.S. families, as much as 30% of after-tax income goes to transportation, leaving less for essentials like housing, food, and healthcare.
Human and Health Costs of Crashes
Traffic crashes cost the citizens of Amarillo Millions of Dollars annually in direct economic losses, including medical care, lost productivity, legal and emergency services, and property damage. When factoring in long-term health impacts and quality of life, total societal harm from crashes is estimated to be over $750 million each year!
Crashes are a leading cause of death and serious injury, especially for Americans aged 5 to 34. In Amarillo an average of 30 people die per year from road crashes.
Community and Health Implications
Auto-dominated environments lead not only to higher costs, but also to negative health outcomes such as physical inactivity, obesity, and increased exposure to air pollution. Communities centered around cars see less social cohesion and higher rates of isolation, especially for people unable to drive.
These factors collectively create an unsustainable trajectory, both environmentally and economically, for local governments and families.
Actionable Solutions
Invest in active and public transit infrastructure that reduces the necessity of car ownership.
Promote development patterns that allow people of all ages and incomes to walk, bike, or use mass transit safely and affordably.
Advocate for local and state policies that measure transportation performance by broad societal costs rather than just travel time for drivers.