Are safer roads promoting risky driving?

Risk homoeostasis theory (also called risk compensation theory) says that as safety features are added to vehicles and roads, drivers tend to drive more dangerously because they feel more protected. On page 1149 Gerald Wilde provides evidence for this theory and says that it should be used to inform road safety strategies; Leon Robertson and Barry Pless (p 1151) argue that the evidence is deeply flawed and that the theory is little better than an excuse for doing nothing.


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Relevant Article

For and against: Does risk homoeostasis theory have implications for road safety • For • Against
Gerald J S Wilde, Leon S Robertson, and I Barry Pless
BMJ 2002 324: 1149-1152. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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