I live on a street that is used by blithe motorists to shave two to three seconds off their commute - but is otherwise an ideal place for local kids to play, hang out, and for adults to keep an eye on them while they do so. We are all prevented from using the public right-of-way by a focus on the convenience of some jerk in a car that wants to go 35 mph through our neighborhood. We need to make provision for play streets - especially in areas with high obesity, crime, and asthma rates. These are streets that allow people to come out of their homes and use the common carriage way for socializing and play without the worry of cars killing them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/nyregion/02ritual.html?pagewanted=all