Citation

Hurst PM. Accid. Anal. Prev. 1980; 12(3): 217-220.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It is widely held that reward is better than punishment for shaping behaviour, yet it seems virtually absent from the learning situation for safe driving. This paper discusses why this is so, and why most attempts to introduce reward have been futile. Inadvertently, however, reward appears to have been introduced into the driving that is done by those who have been suspended or disqualified, in that they are rewarded for driving safely and inconspicuously. The good driving records shown by disqualified drivers after licence restoration suggests that a powerful learning mechanism is at work. Possible means are discussed by which this effect might be harnessed and be made to occur more generally in those who are learning to drive.