Citation

Traenkle U. Int. J. Veh. Des. 1988; 9(4-5): 569-578.

Affiliation

Univ of Muenster, Muenster, West Ger

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Inderscience Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the last few years the so-called risk homeostasis theory has strongly influenced the discussion on effects of safety measures in road traffic. This model is therefore referred to along with examples of its empirical foundation. The latter have to be criticized for methodological reasons. The pattern of development of traffic- and on-the-job accidents within the last decade does not support the theory. Furthermore there are some serious logical inconsistencies and problems with the concepts of objective, perceived and accepted risk. Instead of risk homeostasis, maximization of subjective utility is suggested as a model for drivers reactions to safety measures.