Unfortunately use of fossil fuels also continues to hit record numbers year after year.

Indeed. It takes time.

And there needs to be an actual alternative to driving. You can’t just make driving worse and expect results. I’ve found that even small positive changes in alternative methods of commuting can have disproportionately positive effect. For example at work we simply installed better and more bike racks and it seems that after a while we have maybe twice the number of people regularly cycling compared to before. Basically because cycling accommodations got nicer a few more people started cycling and then others saw that it is not only feasible but also enjoyable so they started cycling… If we could only fix few sections of the road leading to our facility… Once can dream.

But yes, change takes time.

One of my first weird (culture shocky) experiences from USA (Tennessee) during my first trip there was with a drive thru.

I wanted to grab something to eat in the evening and there was a fast food place just across the street from my hotel so I decided to walk there. Once there I realized that the main part of the restaurant is closed and only drive thru was open. Then as I was there on foot they wouldn’t serve me so I ended up walking to a petrol station down the road to actually buy something to eat which was quite scary as there were no sidewalks and I had to cross 6 lanes to get to the station.