A
person who believes that roads are the exclusive domain of motor vehicles. They make no allowances for bicycles or pedestrians, considering them to be road hazards. They are often even aggressive towards other vehicles, especially those smaller or slower than they are. Traffic signals and stop signs are also sources of irritation to the autodominionist. Autodominists believe that people who
ride bicycles or are walking are doing so because they are poor or because their
time is less important to
society. They contend that cyclists should "get on the sidewalk" even though the law affords cyclists equal rights and responsibilities on the road. They admonish cyclists for riding dangerously while at the same
time talking on their cell phone and trying to read the newspaper while driving. Autodomionists will drive to their destination, no matter how near it may be or how easily it may be to walk or take some other form of transportation. Autodominionist attitudes have lead to high
speed roads without berms, neighborhoods without sidewalks and the demolition of neighborhoods in favor of new highways.
Some Autodominionist Quotes:
"Regardless of the obvious dangers, some people will ride bikes in San
Francisco for the same reason Islamic fanatics will engage in suicide bombings -- because they are politically motivated to do so."
Rob Anderson, who also claims that bike lanes actually contribute to pollution and is initiating legal battles to stop additional bike lanes.
http://www.grist.org/news/2008/08/20/sf_bikes/?source=daily#comments
"He was crossing on the red light. I really hate jaywalkers. I despise them. Since I
don't run the country, all I can do is yell at 'em. The other option is to run 'em over, but as a compassionate
conservative, I would never do that."
Syndicated columnist Robert D.
Novak responding to an incident where he cursed out an alleged jaywalker on a Washington DC street in 2001. In 2008 he actually struck a pedestrian crossing legally at a light.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11985.html
"It would also be useful if there were a law against people riding bicycles in
snow and
icy conditions on public streets. They are a major hazard to driving in any weather, but especially in bad weather."
City of
Pittsburgh Department of Public Works foreman
Melanie G. Hall in a letter to the editor.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08051/858708-35.stm
"cars are more likely inhabited by people with a higher value for their
time."
Tyler Cowen
http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2008/07/should-the-driv.html?cid=121759150#comment-121759150
"
Ride single-file!"
Christopher Thomas Thompson, just before he veered in front of a pair of cyclists and slammed on his brakes causing the cyclists to slam into the rear of his vehicle and subsequently hospitalizing both.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bikecrash12-2008jul12,0,3133098.story