The British Prime Minister has committed the nation to a ban on inessential car traffic every Wednesday. The goal is to promote alternatives to car travel and to decrease production of greenhouse gases.

Unfortunately I’m summarizing the plot of episode four of BBC One’s The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard rather than actual news. The six-episode program, which aired in the U.K. in late 2006 is currently premiering in the U.S. on PBS’ Masterpiece Theatre.

While I don’t think that a mandatory ban is our best solution, government action to reduce car usage and promote alternatives is a necessity. It’ll be a long time before we see similar plot lines filter into mainstream American programming, but it’s encouraging that the dialogue and concepts are spreading.

Let’s hope we’re witnessing a spiraling case of art imitating life imitating art. We began with international rallies like World Car Free Day and the concept is being dramatized and spreading. The next round’s real life responses won’t be far behind.

Photo via flickr by venturout