The Detroit Auto Show is about to get underway, but things are starting on a serious note as the Driving While Black (DWB) concept has made a surprise debut.
Designed to get people talking, the concept is a collaboration between Critical Mass, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, and the Courageous Conversation Global Foundation. As the name suggests, it’s meant to “shine a light on the double standard in policing of Black people.”
The concept is being introduced with an intentionally over-the-top video, which highlights various features like a traditional car commercial. However, the DWB has “innovations” no one should need.
Among them are transparent doors to “eliminate reasonable suspicion” and a “10&2” steering wheel that keeps hands visible at all times. The glove box has also been eliminated to prevent claims the driver was reaching for something. That isn’t the only thing missing as the trunk has been removed, so police don’t have to search it.
The concept is also envisioned to have a biometric scanner, which reads your fingerprint and automatically displays your license and registration to “ensure contactless exchange of information.” Other highlights include “airless tires” and an engine-less design.
While it’s not very often that you see an Oldsmobile serve as the basis for a new concept, the DWB draws inspiration from the car that Philando Castile was killed in. He was pulled over in 2016 for having a broken taillight.
Video of the incident shows Castile telling officers that he’s carrying a firearm. While the interaction seems to have been a friendly heads up, St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez quickly changed his demeanor and said “Don’t reach for it” to which Castile replied “I’m not pulling it out.” Castile is then shot seconds later. Despite the shocking dashcam video and footage taken by Castile’s girlfriend, Yanez was acquitted of second-degree manslaughter as well as two counts of intentional discharge of firearm that endangers safety.
Getting back to the concept, the Courageous Conversation Global Foundation said 7 of the 11 features are inspired by real tragedies. The group added “Black drivers are 20% more likely to be stopped and searched by police, and three times more likely to be killed by officers during encounters.”
The concept is a digital creation as “a car can’t solve the problem. Only we can do that.”
