REWARDS FOR UNSAFE DRIVING? A REJOINER TO P.M. HURST

Recently, Hurst has argued that attempts to reward safe driving are likely to be futile. However, he argues that existing punitive systems have within them an implicit reward structure; persons who drive while disqualified are "rewarded" for driving safely (i.e. they avoid apprehension) and, as a consequence of this reinforcement, safe driving becomes habitual. This paper argues that Hurst's analysis may be based upon an erroneous interpretation of the motivational effects inherent in disqualification. The behaviour learned while driving under suspension may not be safe driving, but rather proficiency at avoiding apprehension. Such a proposition has implications for Hurst's formulation inasmuch as the major source of "reward" within the punitive systems consists of satisfaction gained in successfully breaking the law. This paper discusses some necessary pre-conditions for the implementation of more conventional reward structures. (A) (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Corporate Authors:

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Headington Hill Hall
  Oxford OX30BW,    
• Authors:
  • Warren, R A
• Publication Date: 1982-6

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 169-172
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Driver licenses; Driver rehabilitation; Drivers; Driving; Fear; High risk drivers; Motivation; Penalties; Problem drivers; Safety; Suspensions
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver license suspension
• Old TRIS Terms: Apprehension
• ITRD Terms: 9001: Behaviour; 1772: Driver; 2292: Driver rehabilitation; 1855: Driving (veh); 1550: Driving licence; 1502: Penalty; 1665: Safety
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00367243
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-033 294
• Files: HSL, ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 30 1982 12:00AM