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1. Embed this notice
   Tab Combs (drtcombs@transportation.social)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Jul-2024 22:07:23 JST Tab Combs

   Since it's come up on other platforms again, here's your semi-annual reminder that the term "Vulnerable Road User," or #VRU, is a #transportation catchall for "humans not safely ensconsed inside a motor vehicle," and it's lazy, inaccurate, offensive, and counterproductive.

   #CarBrain #RoadSafety #VisionZero 🧵

   • Embed this notice
     Tab Combs (drtcombs@transportation.social)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Jul-2024 22:07:22 JST Tab Combs

     in reply to

     Vulnerability is not an intrinsic characteristic of anyone. It's a condition imposed on people by their environments (be those environments physical, social, economic, political, etc).

     #VulnerableRoadUser language dehumanizes and makes it easy to shift blame and responsibility off those causing harm and onto those receiving it.

     #CarBrain #RoadSafety #VisionZero (2/4)

     Børge repeated this.
   • Embed this notice
     Tab Combs (drtcombs@transportation.social)'s status on Tuesday, 09-Jul-2024 22:07:22 JST Tab Combs

     in reply to

     The term #VRU implies that being in danger (e.g., in danger of being hit by someone driving a car on a poorly designed street) is a condition the 'vulnerable user' opted in to.

     #VulnerableRoadUser is used to define people ouside of cars according to the dangers imposed by cars and the people who drive, design, and cater to cars.

     It's textbook #VictimBlaming, characterizing people as vulnerable because they dare exist in public without a #car.

     #CarBrain #RoadSafety #VisionZero (3/4)