Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Safety

The (Too-Brief) History of Traffic Violence Memorials in America

Mass memorials to the victims of traffic violence are a rarity on American roads. But it wasn't always that way — and there's a fascinating history behind why so many lost lives have become virtually invisible in the public realm today.

On this episode of The Brake, Kea Wilson sits down with historian and author Peter Norton to talk about how America used to memorialize car crash deaths in the early days of the automobile, and why automakers invested so much into reshaping the way we grieve. And then they chat about what it might take to bring the national traffic violence epidemic out of the shadows, and why even everyday non-lethal road trauma deserves to be called out.

Listen in below, on Apple podcasts, or anywhere else you listen.

No time to listen — or want to dig a little deeper? Check out our earlier coverage on this topic:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

UCLA Report Shows How Freeway Construction Last Century Was Used to Destroy and Divide Communities of Color

“Understanding the history of racism in freeway development can inform restorative justice in these areas.”

November 25, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

Calbike, Waymo, E-bikes, and More...

November 25, 2025

Op-ed: Waymo May Finally Teach Americans the Speed Limit

Do Americans even understand that posted speed limits aren't advisory?

November 24, 2025

Monday’s Headlines

It's going to be a short week, but we have some exciting content before the break.

November 24, 2025
See all posts