Comments on: What are some negative effects of increasing automobile safety during a crash?

By: Dimo J

Dimo J — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:23:33 +0000

Look up “Risk compensation” — a human trait that basically says the safer you feel, the greater the risks you are willing to take.

From the Statistic Abstract of the United States

year, M accidents,K deaths, Deaths per K Accidents

1960 10.4 38.1 3.7
1970 16.0 54.8 3.4
1980 17.9 53.2 3.0
2005 10.7 45.3 4.2
2007 10.6 43.1 4.1

On a per mile or per vehicle basis, we are involved in a lot fewer collisions than in the past — mostly due to improved driver training. On a per crash basis today’s “safer” cars are far deadlier — because of risk compensation and people traveling at higher speeds. Increasing automotive “safety” increases the severity of the crash to the point of overriding the benefits of the safety design. Dimo J

By: zzonyx

zzonyx — Sun, 09 May 2010 19:20:39 +0000

From an economist’s point of view, but not only:
1 - the same type of car is heavier than before, so it gets lower mpg and/or inferior performance;
2 - the same car costs more than before;
3 - drivers and passengers are more constrained during driving (belts, headrests, baby seats), so the ride is less appealing;
4 - cars are longer than before due to crumple zones, energy-absorbing bumpers, less aggressive front ends.
There are probably several more items that don’t come to my mind right now.
hth zzonyx

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:02:13 +0000

cost.
threat of burns from airbags.
safety belt having negative effect by not releasing, Pete