3 ms·

"Think about that. If we could cut down on car crashes by even 5% we could save more than 2,000 lives!" I don't know whether or not this is true, but the argum

by ricree 17y ago

"Think about that. If we could cut down on car crashes by even 5% we could save more than 2,000 lives!" I don't know whether or not this is true, but the argument is fallacious. Without further evidence, it is a bit premature to assume that the fatal:nonfatal ratio in crashes prevented will be the same as that of crashes in general. It is possible, though unlikely, that a chance might only prevent nonfatal crashes.

Retric 17y ago
They used could save not will save for that vary same reason. Most likely the net effect would be much like seat belts which transform many fatal accidents into non fatal accidents and many non fatal accidents into non accidents. PS: Unlike airbags seat belts do help avoid accidents. But, it's rare to see people talk about that outside of drivers education.
ams6110 17y ago
Seems that I've read about studies that show that people have a certain, nearly unconscious risk tolerance. For example, ABS and all-wheel-drive made driving in the snow and ice easier, so people drive a bit faster or more aggressively until they reach their previous risk tolerance level. Thus the potential safety benefit is not realized in actuality. In fact, if people overestimate the added safety of the new technology, they may be more likely to have an accident than without it. Witness the common sight of four-wheel-drive vehicles spun off the road in a snowstorm.
- michaelbuckbee 17y ago
  Agreed, my dad always described 4 Wheel Drive as a way for people to get stranded farther from help than they otherwise would have.
- epochwolf 17y ago
  I agree with this. I am far more comfortable driving faster with 4 wheel drive on, so I disable it as soon as I don't need it.
- Retric 17y ago
  Looking at the data, the steady decline in deaths per passageway mile suggests improving safety actually works. Now, it may be useful to make people feel less safe, but IMO most accidents are caused by people not really paying attention and automated systems which tell them something bad happens should help as long as they alert the driver that something bad almost happened. PS: The fact you can take little damage while rear ending someone at 65MPH is not something the average person wants to test out.

by ricree 17y ago

Retric 17y ago

They used could save not will save for that vary same reason. Most likely the net effect would be much like seat belts which transform many fatal accidents into non fatal accidents and many non fatal accidents into non accidents. PS: Unlike airbags seat belts do help avoid accidents. But, it's rare to see people talk about that outside of drivers education.

ams6110 17y ago

Seems that I've read about studies that show that people have a certain, nearly unconscious risk tolerance. For example, ABS and all-wheel-drive made driving in the snow and ice easier, so people drive a bit faster or more aggressively until they reach their previous risk tolerance level. Thus the potential safety benefit is not realized in actuality. In fact, if people overestimate the added safety of the new technology, they may be more likely to have an accident than without it. Witness the common sight of four-wheel-drive vehicles spun off the road in a snowstorm.

michaelbuckbee 17y ago
Agreed, my dad always described 4 Wheel Drive as a way for people to get stranded farther from help than they otherwise would have.
epochwolf 17y ago
I agree with this. I am far more comfortable driving faster with 4 wheel drive on, so I disable it as soon as I don't need it.
Retric 17y ago
Looking at the data, the steady decline in deaths per passageway mile suggests improving safety actually works. Now, it may be useful to make people feel less safe, but IMO most accidents are caused by people not really paying attention and automated systems which tell them something bad happens should help as long as they alert the driver that something bad almost happened. PS: The fact you can take little damage while rear ending someone at 65MPH is not something the average person wants to test out.