It's true. People cannot see the automobile for what it is. A conveyance.
People see it as an extension of the arms and legs. An automobile becomes an organic feature on their body when they climb in behind the wheel.
The ego becomes deeply entwined with the automobile. It is a deeply personal ego attachment.
Not all people see the automobile in this light. Kids whose parents died in car accidents might not have the same ego attachment.
I must confess, I have had my leg ripped up by an Oldsmobile 98. And I have had my pelvis crushed by a runaway front left wheel of a 4X4.
My ego attachment to the automobile is scant. I could care less if I ever saw another automobile as long as I live, even though, I own one.
If the whole schmear of automobiles disappeared, to be replaced by less malign forms of transport, including self-driving cars, I would see it as cause for celebration.
In Canada, says Google, "In 2021, the number of motor vehicle fatalities was 1,768; up 1.3% from 2020 (1,746). The number of serious injuries increased to 8,185 in 2021; up 4% from 2020 (7,868)." (Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics: 2021 tc.canada.ca/en/road-transp)
