Risk Compensation and Accident Occurrence Rates

Author Information

Articles has 17 Published Articles

United States of America,
New York,
10027,
14/1,

Risk Compensation and Accident Occurrence Rates

Posted On : Nov-13-2011 | seen (493) times | Article Word Count : 1051 |

This article describes Risk compensation as a situation in which individual people tend to adjust their behavior in response to perceived changes in risk. It is seen that individuals will tend to behave in a more cautious manner if their perception of risk or danger increases , but in the usage of safety belts, ski helmet , sky diving safety gears , wherein people feel safer or more protected , feeling of carelessness and lack of awareness may result in serious accidents.

Whenever debate arises over the compulsory wearing of seat belts, the opposition can be heard citing evidences of risk compensation. What is risk compensation and what role does it play in the Seat Belt Legislation opposition?

In 1981, John Adams of the Department of Geography, University College London published a study that looked into data from several countries with seat belt laws. It hoped to establish a correlation between increased seat belt use and the reduction of injuries and fatalities resulting from vehicle collision and other road accidents. Data showed that in all associated deaths and injuries, the accidents were being displaced from car drivers to other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. While fatalities may have decreased, the number of accidents – as well as the probability of injury and damage to property – remains unchanged.

Over the years, other studies conducted on road safety interventions such as anti-lock brakes, bicycle helmets, speed limits, etc. all provided evidence of a phenomenon, which investigators called “risk compensation”.

Risk Compensation and Human Nature

As a theory of social behavior, risk compensation describes the effect that happens when people perceive a change in the risks they face. Risk compensation claims that people make adjustments to their behavior according to the level of risk or danger and that, most of the time, when these dangers are perceived to be lesser, people tend to be bolder. The feeling that they are safer somehow makes them less cautious of their actions.

Several evidences exist to support this theory, which point to the universality of this behavior. Some researchers and commentators say that risk compensation is self-evident since people will truly act more cautiously when faced with great risks or dangers. All the same, research was conducted, mostly on road safety, which revealed that risk compensation can be observed in various conditions, from seat belt usage in automobiles to ski helmet use and use of skydiving safety gears. No matter the conditions, the situation remains: as people perceive themselves to be safer or more protected, concern and alertness tend to take the back seat.

Evidence of Risk Compensation

As mentioned, risk compensation has been observed in the use of anti-lock brakes. In three separate studies conducted in Canada (1993), Denmark (1997), and Germany (1994), there is a direct correlation between the presence of an anti-lock brake system and the drivers’ road behavior. Speed is generally faster for drivers with the ABS system in place compared to those who lack the technology in their cars. They also tend to follow leading cars closer and brake later, leading researchers to conclude that the ABS fails to show any measurable improvement in road safety.

The same trend was observed in drivers who were habitually belted and those habitually unbelted. In 1994, a US study found out that the driving style of drivers who are used to wearing seat belts run contrary to the expected heightened concern for safety. Habitually belted drivers were seen to be safety-conscious but were actually revealed to drive faster and less carefully when belted. Subsequent research showed that those who were not in the habit of wearing seat belts display risk compensation when asked to drive with seat belts on, driving faster than they would on average without the seat belt. This change in driving style continued to be observed after the drivers returned to driving without seat belts.

Conclusion

Independent studies conducted on skydiving safety gear, speed limits, ski helmets and bicycle helmets also show evidence of risk compensation. With this evidence in place, does this mean that seat belts and other safety systems designed to save lives are useless? The debate on seat belt use goes on, but as for other safety mechanisms, experts still promote their use. While seat belts and ABS systems have no effect on the rate of accident occurrences, they do have a positive effect in buffering the damages caused by accidents that result from miscalculations and errors of human judgment.

Additionally, you should always use the services of a reputable Pomona car accident attorney when victim of an accident. While the CA personal injury lawyers at JD Law Group have settled millions of dollars worth of claims negotiated by California car accident attorneys, they can refer you to the highest rated car accident firms anywhere in the United States in order to maximize your settlement. Call them today at 1-888-736- 4248 for a free consultation.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website or the web site linked here in are not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice, diagnosis or treatment. In addition, viewing the content on these websites, requesting additional information, or transmitting information through a contact form does not form an attorney-client relationship with the sponsoring attorney. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case or scientific study and do not represent a promise or guaranty regarding similar outcome or causes. The information on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should never interfere with a patient/site visitor and his or her healthcare provider. Internet subscribers or online readers should not act upon any information contained herein without seeking professional legal and/or medical advice. This firm is licensed to practice law only in the state of California, but is affiliated with a network of licensed attorneys in other states. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. PersonalInjuryorg and JD Law Group make no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

Re-Publish this Article

<h1>Risk Compensation and Accident Occurrence Rates</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Articles.aspx'>Articles</a> Whenever debate arises over the compulsory wearing of seat belts, the opposition can be heard citing evidences of risk compensation. What is risk compensation and what role does it play in the Seat Belt Legislation opposition?

In 1981, John Adams of the Department of Geography, University College London published a study that looked  into data from several countries with seat belt laws. It hoped to establish a correlation between increased seat belt use and the reduction of injuries and fatalities resulting from vehicle collision and other road accidents. Data showed that in all associated deaths and injuries,  the  accidents  were  being  displaced  from  car  drivers  to  other  road  users  such  as pedestrians and cyclists. While fatalities may have decreased, the number of accidents – as well as the probability of injury and damage to property – remains unchanged.

Over the years, other studies conducted on road safety interventions such as anti-lock brakes, bicycle helmets, speed limits, etc. all provided evidence of a phenomenon, which investigators called “risk compensation”.

Risk Compensation and Human Nature

As a theory of social behavior, risk compensation describes the effect that happens when people perceive a change in the risks they face. Risk compensation claims that people make adjustments to their behavior according to the level of risk or danger and that, most of the time, when these dangers are perceived to be lesser, people tend to  be bolder. The feeling that they are safer somehow makes them less cautious of their actions.

Several evidences exist to support this theory, which point to the universality of this behavior. Some researchers and commentators say that risk compensation is self-evident since people will truly act more  cautiously when faced with great risks or dangers. All the same, research was conducted, mostly on road safety,  which revealed that risk compensation can be observed in various conditions, from seat belt usage in automobiles to ski helmet use and use of skydiving safety gears. No matter the conditions, the situation remains: as people perceive themselves to be safer or more protected, concern and alertness tend to take the back seat.

Evidence of Risk Compensation

As mentioned, risk compensation has been observed in the use of anti-lock brakes. In three separate studies conducted in Canada (1993), Denmark (1997), and Germany (1994), there is a direct correlation  between  the  presence of  an anti-lock  brake system and  the  drivers’ road behavior. Speed is generally faster for drivers with the ABS system in place compared to those who lack the technology in their cars. They also tend to follow  leading cars closer and brake later, leading researchers to conclude that the ABS fails to show any measurable improvement in road safety.

The  same  trend  was  observed  in  drivers  who  were  habitually  belted  and  those  habitually unbelted. In 1994, a US study found out that the driving style of drivers who are used to wearing seat belts run contrary to the expected heightened concern for safety. Habitually belted drivers were seen to be safety-conscious but were  actually revealed to drive faster and less carefully when belted. Subsequent research showed that those who were not in the habit of wearing seat belts display risk compensation when asked to drive with seat belts on, driving faster than they would on average without the seat belt. This change in driving style continued to be observed after the drivers returned to driving without seat belts.

Conclusion

Independent studies conducted on skydiving safety gear, speed limits, ski helmets and bicycle helmets also show evidence of risk compensation. With this evidence in place, does this mean that seat belts and other safety systems designed to save lives are useless? The debate on seat belt use goes on, but as for other safety mechanisms, experts still promote their use. While seat belts and ABS systems have no effect on the rate of accident  occurrences, they do have a positive effect in buffering the damages caused by accidents that result from miscalculations and errors of human judgment.

Additionally, you should always use the services of a reputable  Pomona car accident attorney when victim of an accident. While the  CA personal injury lawyers at JD Law Group have settled millions of dollars worth of claims negotiated by California car accident attorneys, they can refer you to the highest rated car accident firms anywhere in the United States in order to maximize your settlement. Call them today at 1-888-736- 4248 for a free consultation.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website or the web site linked here in are not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice, diagnosis or treatment. In addition, viewing the content on these websites, requesting additional information, or transmitting information through a contact form does not form an attorney-client relationship with the sponsoring attorney. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case or scientific study and do not represent a promise or guaranty regarding similar outcome or causes. The information on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should never interfere with a patient/site visitor and his or her healthcare provider. Internet subscribers or online readers should not act upon any information contained herein without seeking professional legal and/or medical advice. This firm is licensed to practice law only in the state of California, but is affiliated with a network of licensed attorneys in other states. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. PersonalInjuryorg and JD Law Group make no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
About the Author: This article is brought to you by the <a rel="nofollow" href=http://www.sospersonalinjury.org/san-francisco-auto-accident-attorney/> San Francisco Auto Accident Attorneys </a> at JD Law Group. 
For any accident claims you may contact a <a rel="nofollow" href=http://www.sospersonalinjury.org/pomona-car-accident-attorney/>Pomona car accident attorney </a> or The <a rel="nofollow" href=http://sospersonalinjury.org/california-city-car-accident-attorney/>The CA Personal Injury lawyers</a> , you may contact them at 1-888-736- 4248 Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Risk-Compensation-and-Accident-Occurrence-Rates_96149.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Risk Compensation and Accident Occurrence Rates_96149.aspx</a>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Risk Compensation and Accident Occurrence Rates_96149.aspx

Author Resource :
This article is brought to you by the San Francisco Auto Accident Attorneys at JD Law Group.
For any accident claims you may contact a Pomona car accident attorney or The The CA Personal Injury lawyers , you may contact them at 1-888-736- 4248

Keywords : personal injury, law, attorney, lawyer, accidents, car accidents, legal, injury,

Category : Reference and Education : Legal

Print this Article Send to Friend