In the company of cars

"In the Company of Cars describes driving as a social and cultural practice, showing how a cultural studies approach can contribute to a better understanding of driving behaviour and to road-safety policy. It examines the perspectives that young people in particular have on cars in order to explore the broader social and cultural meanings of the car, the potential it is supposed to fulfil, and the anticipated benefits it offers to young drivers." "Drawing on international research on driving and youth from social psychology as well as recent innovative approaches to mobility in sociology and cultural studies, this book takes up the views of young people from focus-group research conducted in Australia on a range of topics from media to car use and gender performance. The author looks at the ways in which driving has become routinised through articulations of the car that emphasise valued features of the car-driver such as gender, youthfulness, status, age, power, raciness, sexiness, ruggedness, and competitiveness. This book takes a global perspective on mobility considering the impact of cars and road safety policy on quality of life and the value and significance of other modes of travel in a range of countries." "It has long been accepted that the social and cultural meanings of the car far exceed the practical need for mobility; this book marks the first attempt to contribute to road safety by examining in depth these significances and the cultures of driving that are shaped through them."--Jacket.