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Look Both Ways with David & Wes

Episode 20: Driver Assistance Isn’t Making Us Safer + Shrinking

Apr 16, 2026 · 55 min · Ep 21

Driver Assistance – David & Wes dig into driver assistance systems and the question of whether they’re actually making our roads safer. Following a recent NTSB hearing, they explore both the promise and the problems, from real potential safety benefits to the very real ways these systems can encourage overtrust. They talk through how “hands-off” can become “mind-off,” why supervising automation is harder than it sounds, and where responsibility really lies when things go wrong. 

Other topics:

🔹 The big U.S. city we DON’T want to live in 🔹 The Apple TV show Shrinking & the collateral damage of fatal crashes 🔹 We then open up the mailbag to answer some listener questions

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If you happen to be in Denver on April 21st, come out and see us! Look Both Ways LIVE Podcast Recording + Fundraiser for the Denver Streets Partnership

David speaking earlier that same day at The Road Ahead 2026

Additional resources: Systems that let drivers take their hands off the wheel don’t improve safety, NTSB head says

Music by Charlie Van Stee (courtesy of bensound)

Email us at [email protected] or find us at www.lookbothwayspodcast.com, www.davidzipper.com, and www.wesmarshall.org

 

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