Why is it that so many people consider an automobile a necessity?

Question

How did it get that way?

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Answer 1

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES.... I think has a lot to do with it. NOT 1 car but 3 & 4 cars... Crazy ! Thanks

Answer 2

In rural areas, there is little public transportation, so in some way you have to get to town. Before the car, you walked, got on a train, or boat or used some sort of animal propelled transportation to get from one place to another. This is probably obvious to you...but I say all of this because the invention of the automobile changed history in that it played a role in the society we have today...including that we now live so far away from our jobs, stores, etc. that having an automobile starts to feel like an necessity...

Answer 3

Personally were I live (10 miles to the closest town) it would be impossible to live a normal life if I had to walk 10 miles to get to work, buy grocies, etc.
It probably got this way as america spread out in the 1950s, suburban planed communities known as "levitteviles" and the avant of the National Interstate system made transport more effienct, in sense automobiles were and still are needed to keep the economy from collaspe

Answer 4

I live in the Los Angeles area so this question is basically best answered by the fact that the City is miserable when it comes to public transit. In fact the entire government at all levels is miserable when it comes to public transit.

Americans are selfish and not willing to buddy up for car pools or even ride busses because their schedules are more important than the environment. Now that's a harsh statement, lol!! Unfortunate, but true! Peace and Good Will be With You!

Answer 5

I think there should be a balance between walking and using the automobile like if you have to go only a short distance then a walk won't kill you but yeah in America places are so far so it makes sense to use the car often. But due to gas prices now a days, people are looking to change their driving habits. Also many people would rather use their cars then use the buses in America. Using the trains isn't bad though.

Answer 6

Where I live there is no mass transportation and in order to even buy grocery's is 12-15 miles away. So are the jobs and everything else. So having a car is a necessity. There is no other way to get around.

Answer 7

Because, in most areas of the US, there are not good options for public transportation. The population is just oo spread out.

When we lived in town, I had a little wagon i pulled behind my bicycle. I could put the baby in the wagon, and still have room for groceries. Now, I live 10 miles from the grocery stores and other shops, in a rural area. I need a vehicle in order to buy food, get to work, etc.

Answer 8

Well, from my perspective, a car really is a necessity. I'm in a rural area, there is no public transportation that goes beyond the city where I work, and I'd have to get up at 2 a.m. every morning to make it to work on time if I were walking or biking. Who has time for that?

If you live in a large city, and you have all modes of public transportation at your disposal, owning a car is ridiculous.

Answer 9

Well if you stay in a huge city such as New York there is no need for transportation. You have subways, trains, buses etc. I stay in a small city where the closest jobs that pay over 5.15 an hr is 30 mins to an hour drive. In order to pay all of my bills I have to have a car.

Answer 10

People don't like to wait for anything so public transportation and walking would take way too long for most people. We are not generally a patient society and an automobile would make going from place to place a lot quicker

Answer 11

I don't have a car right now. I walk and take the bus all the time. I think a lot of people have become very lazy. More people should leave the car at home and walk. There are so many heavy Americans right now.