The choice to use private cars is understandable, extending far beyond the so-called "car culture." The convenience of point-to-point transit, flexible scheduling, and a sense of personal security justifies its use, especially where sustainable transportation networks do not adequately serve the entire population. But do drivers actually pay for the impacts they generate?
Researchers explain that one of the main drivers of car use is that motorists pay only a fraction of the actual cost of driving. The infrastructure provided behaves as what economists call a "free good": the more convenient driving becomes, the faster demand for it grows.
