SEAT BELTS AND RISK COMPENSATION

The author applies the theory that the introduction of any safety measure results in changes in the behaviour of road users which may negate the supposed benefits of the measure and cites examples already established. Research shows that drivers wearing seat belts in fact take fewer risks than those who do not, but the numbers of casualties since the seat belt law tend to support the risk compensation hypothesis. It is suggested however that there has been a 7% increase in road traffic, particularly cyclists under 15 and that the increase in casualties can be accounted for within the normal seasonal and annual fluctuations. It is concluded that risk compensation does not apply, the reduction in death and injury to front seat passengers fully justify the seat belt legislation and that it should be extended to rearseat occupants. It is also suggested that improvements could be made to restraint systems and car interiors to prevent the type of injuries now most frequent. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00071447
• Corporate Authors:

  British Medical Association

  BMA House, Tavistock Square
  London WC1H 9JR,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • MacKay, M
• Publication Date: 1985-9-21

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 757-758
• Serial:
  • BMJ
  • Volume: 291
  • Issue Number: 6498
  • Publisher: British Medical Association
  • ISSN: 0959-8138
  • Serial URL: http://www.bmj.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Cyclists; Drivers; Employee compensation; Fatalities; Front seat occupants; Hazards; Improvements; Injuries; Laws; Manual safety belts; Risk assessment; Traffic crashes; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Compensation
• ITRD Terms: 1612: Accident rate; 9001: Behaviour; 1758: Child; 1742: Cyclist; 1534: Enforcement (law); 1556: Legislation; 2259: Risk taking; 1476: Safety belt; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Law; Passenger Transportation; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00462641
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 28 1987 12:00AM