Motonormativity: American Overreliance on Single-Occupancy Vehicles

By Tanushri Goyal, Ambassador & Lake Washington High School Student

Every day, millions of Americans sit in traffic, squandering hours alone in their cars just to get to work or school. What feels like a normal part of daily life is actually the result of a transportation system built around inefficiency and overreliance on personal vehicles. The American transportation system is designed to move people and goods across cities, states, and the country through infrastructure such as highways, public transit, and local road networks. Managed by federal, state, and local agencies, the system is indispensable to economic activity and everyday life. However, despite its importance, it has developed in a way that prioritizes individual car use over more sustainable alternatives. Because American infrastructure and cultural norms prioritize single-occupancy vehicle use, the transportation system increases CO2 emissions, congestion, and financial burdens, disproportionately impacting low-income communities. By expanding carpool incentives and improving access to organized ridesharing—particularly through schools and workplaces—Americans can reduce car dependency and create a more efficient and sustainable system. 

One of the most defining features of the American transportation system is the overwhelming reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. According to data from the US Bureau of the Census, driving alone is the most common mode of transportation to work, accounting for 76.4% of all commuters in 2014 (Fact #946). This statistic exposes the depth to which car dependency is woven into American life, evidence of poor transportation planning, a lack of transit-oriented development, and car first infrastructure that leaves driving the only conceivable option for the average American. 

The dominance of single-occupancy vehicles is also visible at the local level. Sustainability Ambassadors, a local non-profit organization, surveyed middle and high school students across Washington State to understand how they get to school. In the Lake Washington School District, their survey found that approximately 55% of students either drive themselves or are driven by a parent without carpooling (Carbon Commute Count). Because much of this data comes from middle school students – who cannot drive yet – the true level of single-occupancy vehicle use is likely even higher. This survey is particularly insightful because it offers a perspective on why so many adults choose to drive alone: when kids grow up being driven solo, that behavior becomes inherited instinct. 

Through a combination of inherited habits and infrastructure built to accommodate cars above all else, America has created the perfect breeding grounds for generations of solo drivers whose choices continue to inflict direct and severe harm to the planet. Driving solo increases greenhouse gas emissions, which affects the environment, public health, local economies, and infrastructure. Kirkland residents, whose actions mirror the reality of most American suburbs, generate nearly 50% of their annual greenhouse gas emissions through transportation (Energy Supply and Emissions). If emissions continue at current rates, the region will experience significant climate impacts. The heaviest rain events are projected to be 22% stronger by the 2080s, sea levels are expected to rise 15 inches by 2100, and the frequency of forest fires is projected to increase fourfold (Our Changing Climate). Along with this, salmon, which are a keystone species and of high importance to many indigenous cultures in Washington, will face increased stress and devastation (Our Changing Climate). Across the globe, public health will suffer as illnesses caused by ticks and mosquitos amplify (Our Changing Climate). These problems disproportionately affect low-income communities, even though the bottom 50% of households contribute only 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions (Mishra). Many low-income workers are employed in natural resource dependent jobs like fishing, farming, and logging; with climate change impacting these professions, their livelihoods are threatened. In addition, many low-income workers are working in outdoor conditions that are most impacted by extreme heat events.  

Beyond climate change, car dependency also burdens Americans financially. The American Public Transportation Association reports that riders can save more than $13,000 annually by using public transit instead of driving (American Public Transportation Association). These savings come from reduced spending on gas, insurance, maintenance, and vehicle ownership. On top of that, congestion wastes enormous amounts of time: the Urban Mobility Report finds that the average American spends about 63 hours per year—almost three full days—sitting in traffic (Urban Mobility Report). Fewer cars on the road would reduce congestion, lower transportation costs for individuals, lower road maintenance costs for governments, and decrease the need for expensive parking infrastructure. 

The most powerful product car manufacturers have ever sold Americans isn’t a vehicle at all; it’s the myth of motonormativity. Motonormativity, or “the shared automatic assumption that travel is fundamentally a motor activity and must remain that way,” singlehandedly reinforces cultural norms that guide our infrastructure and daily habits (Eaton). Contrary to the popular idea that Americans wanted the ‘freedom’ that comes with a car, early cities relied on walking and streetcars even when cars became widely available. Streets were designed to be shared by pedestrians and vehicles. However, deliberate lobbying led to legal changes that prioritized cars over pedestrians and criminalized jaywalking. As traffic laws favored driving, streetcars declined, walking became less safe and convenient, and people who didn’t own cars eventually felt forced to buy one to get around. Recognizing that Americans didn’t choose this car dependent lifestyle reveals that cultural norms aren’t fixed – they are shaped by policy – which means they can be reshaped to prioritize sustainable, healthier alternatives today. 

Another structural cause of American car dependency is the lack of transit-oriented development (TOD). Transit-oriented development places housing, businesses, and services close to public transit and prioritizes dense, walkable communities. Most American suburbs lack TOD because homes are spaces far apart and zoning laws restrict density. This design makes public transit impractical and contributes to the “first mile/last mile” problem where residents struggle to reach transit stations without driving. High density housing located directly near bus or rail stops would eliminate this barrier and dramatically increase transit use. Without TOD, driving becomes the default for nearly every trip. 

Car dependency affects every American in some way – whether it’s the commuter who spends an hour sitting in traffic, the parent worried about their children playing near busy streets, or the taxpayer frustrated with the ever-rising costs of expanding and maintaining roads. At the same time, auto manufacturers, insurance companies, and repair shops profit from the system as it exists. Americans deserve a transportation system that offers real choices and safer, more efficient means of getting to where they need to go. 

Getting Americans to ditch their cars, urban planners to design TOD, and policymakers to reallocate their budget for more public transit is important work that will take decades. But there is a middle ground that can mitigate many of the downsides of single-occupancy vehicles without completely overhauling the American transportation system: carpooling! At schools and workplaces, carpooling and organized ridesharing must be expanded! These locations are ideal low-barrier entry points because they naturally concentrate people with the same starting and ending destinations, making scheduling much simpler and more predictable. Schools, in particular, offer the chance to form lifelong habits – students who carpool learn early that sharing rides is practical and fun! Workplaces similarly provide structured environments where incentives and policies can directly influence commuting behavior. 

To increase carpooling effectively, schools and workplaces should implement opt-out systems where every student or employee is automatically enrolled in a ridesharing platform, such as SchoolPool. These apps can match people based on location, timing, and car capacity, minimizing detours and maximizing efficiency. Advanced features could even use AI to pair compatible riders based on friendships, music preferences, or routines, making the carpooling experience seamless and enjoyable. Alongside these platforms, institutions should provide tangible incentives, such as reduced parking fees or priority parking for carpoolers. Combining convenience and rewards makes carpooling significantly more attractive and accessible.

Several programs illustrate the potential of targeted incentives. High schools in Washington State, including Interlake, Redmond, and Issaquah, give carpooling students either priority parking or discounted passes. Lake Washington High School piloted a similar program in 2025–2026, granting juniors who applied for carpool passes a higher chance of receiving one, resulting in 30 students actively participating (Carbon Commute Count). At the workplace level, companies under Washington’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law must create plans to reduce single-occupancy commuting, often offering priority parking or ride subsidies. These examples show that structured incentives can successfully shift behavior.

Some critics may raise concerns that carpooling and organized ridesharing pose safety risks, especially for minors, or that sharing personal information through ridesharing apps could compromise data privacy. These are legitimate considerations: parents want to know their children are safe, and users want their information protected. However, these challenges can be effectively managed with thoughtful program design. Safety can be ensured through verified drivers, monitored pick-up and drop-off locations, and clear behavioral guidelines. Data privacy can be protected with secure apps that only share necessary ride details and allow participants to control what information is visible. Apps like Uber and other ridesharing platforms already implement these safety and privacy measures successfully, demonstrating that technology can make shared rides both safe and trustworthy. By adopting similar systems in schools and workplaces, carpooling can deliver environmental, financial, and social benefits without compromising security.

The benefits of expanded carpooling are extensive. According to Project Drawdown, “if average car occupancy globally reaches the low end of the achievable range of 1.7, it will avoid 0.254 Gt CO₂ eq/yr GHG emissions…[and] if carpooling is fully adopted at global car occupancy of 3.0…would avoid 1.079 Gt CO₂ eq/yr GHG emissions” (Drawdown). To visualize this, 1.079 gigatons is roughly 2.38 trillion pounds—equivalent to 1.19 billion elephants. Beyond the enormous environmental impact, carpooling also improves human health and well-being. Studies show that while having a car can increase life satisfaction, driving for more than 50% of out-of-home activities correlates with decreased satisfaction (The Guardian). Carpooling reduces driving time, lowers stress, and allows people to spend more time engaging socially or productively.

Moreover, carpooling fosters community and social cohesion. Riders share experiences, build friendships, and strengthen neighborhood connections, transforming commuting from a solitary chore into a shared, positive activity. Fewer cars on the road also mean reduced traffic congestion, lower infrastructure wear, and improved air quality, which benefits everyone—especially those in historically overburdened communities. In short, carpooling addresses environmental, social, and economic challenges simultaneously, providing a practical, immediate step toward reshaping cultural norms around transportation.

By designing ridesharing programs that are convenient, safe, socially rewarding, and incentivized, schools and workplaces can overcome most objections. Far from being a compromise, carpooling is a realistic, immediate, and scalable solution that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, alleviates congestion, lowers individual costs, and fosters stronger communities. While full systemic change—including Transit-Oriented Development and better public transit—is necessary for the long term, carpooling offers a powerful, actionable step that Americans can adopt today.

Works Cited

American Public Transportation Association. Transit Savings Report. 27 Sept. 2023, www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/APTA-POLICY-BRIEF-Transit-Savings-09.27.2023.pdf.

City of Kirkland. Sustainability Strategic Plan: Energy. City of Kirkland, www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Sustainability-Center/Sustainability-Strategic-Plan/Energy.

Eaton, Sam. “American Society Wasn’t Always so Car-Centric — Our Future Doesn’t Have to Be Either.” Yale Climate Connections, 18 Oct. 2023, yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/10/american-society-wasnt-always-so-car-centric-our-future-doesnt-have-to-be-either/.

Car Pooling Market. Market Reports World, www.marketreportsworld.com/market-reports/car-pooling-market-14722357.

KIRO 7 News Staff. “How Much Can Renters Save by Switching from a Car Commute to Public Transit?” KIRO 7, 2024, www.kiro7.com/news/how-much-can-renters-save-by-switching-car-commute-using-public-transit/35BRETGMDRICZEAGCZWRJRPXG4/.

King County. “Our Changing Climate.” King County Climate Office, kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive/governance-leadership/climate-office/focus-areas/climate-preparedness/our-changing-climate.

Mishra, Sushree. “Climate Change’s Unequal Burden: Why Do Low-Income Communities Bear the Brunt?” Earth.org, 2023, earth.org/climate-changes-unequal-burden-why-do-low-income-communities-bear-the-brunt/.

Morrison, Sara. “Extreme Car Dependency Is Making Americans Unhappy, Research Finds.” The Guardian, 29 Dec. 2024, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/29/extreme-car-dependency-unhappiness-americans.

Not Just Bikes. “Why Car Dependency Makes Everything Worse.” YouTube, 13 Oct. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBA-P9hpb_M.

Project Drawdown. “Increase Carpooling.” Drawdown Solutions, drawdown.org/explorer/increase-carpooling.

Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report. 2023, mobility.tamu.edu/umr/.

U.S. Department of Energy. “Fact #946: October 10, 2016: Driving Alone in a Private Vehicle Is the Most Common Means of Transportation to Work.” Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 10 Oct. 2016, www.energy.gov/cmei/vehicles/fact-946-october-10-2016-driving-alone-private-vehicle-most-common-means.