Title: Models of the interaction between road, vehicle and driver behaviour in traffic safety

Authors: U. Trankle

Addresses: University of Munster, Institute for General and Applied Psychology, Munster, Federal Republic of Germany

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.

Keywords: risk homeostasis theory; road traffic safety; accident rate; risk assessment; driver behaviour; driver reactions; safety measures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1988.061530

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1988 Vol.9 No.4/5, pp.569 - 578

Published online: 26 May 2014 *

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