I drove an electric vehicle, and here is my impression

[pbrower2a]

Michigan has been cutting down some four-lane streets in small towns to three lanes, the middle lane strictly a left-turn lane. Speeds slow, but traffic flow apparently improves. Vehicle collisions are less frequent because people aren't using middle lanes both as passing lanes and left-turn lanes in which a speeding driver rear-ends someone stopped for a left turn.

Small-town interests are averse to having their towns bypassed because such might divert people from driving through and stopping at some shop or restaurant. In my experience I find that those highways that bypass that town as part of some superhighway bring more people into an area, and the communities with these bypasses still get people driving in to shops and restaurants. I can assure you that I have gotten off the largely freeway route to the Upper peninsula of Michigan into every significant town along the wayIf you want a road trip to not be boring, then you really must take a side0trip off the expressway on occasion.

Then again -- cut the four-lane path to town to three lanes, reduce vehicle-pedestrian accidents, and make it easier to get to your town.