One myth is that straighter, wider streets are safer. In fact, they encourage higher speeds. Narrower streets, in contrast, calm traffic. Vehicle speeds decline. Drivers behave less aggressively and are more likely to obey traffic signs and signals.
Pedestrians are more comfortable.
As their constituents have clamored for it, local officials in the United States and Canada have adopted traffic calming schemes in dozens of cities, and in dozens of forms. Many have worked well. Some have not. Indeed, most people might not recognize traffic calming if it bit them on the bumper. As he tries to navigate some unfamiliar side streets, a newcomer to a neighborhood might resent the rocking and rolling of speed humps, and retreat to an arterial roadway.